Tea exports increase in December

DECEMBER saw a rise in tea exports with 28.7 million kgs of tea being exported during the month.

This shows a growth of 2.6 million kgs when compared with the 26.1 million kgs exported during the same period last year.

The significant feature of exports for the month of December is a growth of 39.6% of Tea in Packet form.

Exports of tea in bulk shows a decline of 1.5 m/kgs when compared with the same period last year. Despite the drop in total quantity exported, export earnings reflects a growth of 5.02% when compared with the same period last year.

Exports of tea in bag form also shows a growth of 14.16%.

The average unit FOB value of exports also records a significant growth of Rs. 32.46. Exports for 2005 was up by 4.5 m/kgs. Total exports of 308.8 m/kgs for 2005 shows a growth of 4.5 m/kgs when compared with 304.2 m/kgs exported during the same period last year.

Exports of Tea in packet form shows the largest growth of 29.94 % whilst exports of tea in bulk form shows a significant decline of 6% when compared with 2004.

Despite the negative variance in exports YoY, CIS continues to be the largest market for Sri Lanka teas. IS records a total of 71.1 m/kgs as against last years figure of 71.9 m/kgs. UAE, Iran and Iraq have been the largest growth sectors during the period.

Courtesy: Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers (Pvt) Ltd