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Frost continues to hit tea arrivals at Coonoor auctions
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Monday, 12 January, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Unseasonably cold frost and winter chill in the Nilgiris tea-growing region are continuing to dampen tea arrivals at the Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) auctions, exerting pressure on supply volumes as the winter season deepens. Growers and auction officials report that the persistent cold has slowed down plucking activity, resulting in noticeably lower quantities of made-tea reaching the weekly sale floors.
Planters across high-altitude estates around Coonoor are facing the brunt of the harsh weather, with reduced sunshine hours and sub-normal temperatures stunting shoot growth — a critical factor given tea bushes’ need for warmth and sunlight for optimal leaf development. This seasonal slowdown has gradually translated into reduced green-leaf intake at factories, which in turn is thinning out the lots offered for auction.
Industry insiders say that orthodox teas — a significant portion of the Nilgiris’ auction offerings — are particularly affected as small growers and estate managers opt to cut back on plucking to preserve leaf quality rather than risk frost-damaged harvests. Despite the drop in volumes, prices have so far remained relatively stable thanks to steady domestic demand and selective interest from exporters.
Traders at the Coonoor auctions note that quality teas with strong liquor and appearance are still drawing competitive bids, while lower grade lots are more vulnerable amid the tight supply. Buyers are also navigating the market cautiously, mindful of weather forecasts and short-term supply fluctuations.
Tea smallholders, many of whom form the backbone of Nilgiris production, are bracing for continued challenges through the peak of winter, with anticipation that arrivals may only pick up once temperatures rise and frost episodes subside. Meanwhile, the Coonoor auctions continue to serve as a barometer for regional tea sentiment, where quality is increasingly setting the tone in a season of constrained supply.
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