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Tea production in September is an all-time record for the month with 24.76 million kg, which is an improvement on the previous best of 23.4 million kg in 1998 and a near close in the year 2000 with 23.3 million kg.

The most noteworthy gain for the month, compared to last year is seen from the High Grown estates with a gain of 85% to a total of 8.7 million kg, and the Low Grown sector which lagged behind last year on an overall basis, has improved for the month in the current year by 34% to post 12.3 million kg. The combined performance from these two elevations and a further 15% higher contribution from the Mid Grown plantations, have all contributed to a 44% increase in the tea output for the month compared year on year.

These impressive production figures augur well for Sri Lanka as the leading exporter of black tea in the world market, which comes at a time when production in almost all the other major producer countries are falling far short of their crops in the last year. Large buyers of black tea in the global markets have once again to recognise in their ability to source from a fairly stable supply of tea from Sri Lanka. From a local industry's perspective too, this improvement is a sure indicator of posting another 300M kg plus annual production, which was achieved only once earlier.

Cumulatively from January, the current year's production is 227.34 million kg, which is 11 million kg, a (5%) increase from the 216.32 million kg last year. The High Grown tea output has advanced by nearly 10 million kg (17%) to 65 million kg whilst the Medium Elevation improved slightly to 39.8 million kg and the Low Grown contribution for the first time this year is in excess of last year by 1%, to tally 122.5 million kg. The increase seen from the Low Elevation is most likely to continue up to December, and this turnaround, will definitely help in the total annual output of Sri Lanka by the year's end. (John Keells Ltd)

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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