Major tea promotion drive this year

Ruwanthi Abeyakoon

EXPORTS: Tea exports will be increased this year pouring more foreign exchange into country's economy, a Member of the Small and Medium Tea Suppliers Association M.C.M. Zarook said.

"We hope to increase the supply by twenty five per cent in the European market. We are planning on expanding the market.

"We export hundred percent value added tea. There will be no problem with the demand. With the strike coming to an end things will be back to normal by the end of this month," Zarook explained.

He added that exporting of bulk tea is not favourable for Sri Lankan tea. "Sixty per cent of Sri Lankan tea is exported in bulk.

"It is mixed with low quality tea and packed again.

"It reduces the quality of Sri Lankan tea. More foreign exchange can be earned through value addition while protecting Sri Lankan identity," he said.

Sri Lanka Tea Board has also drawn up plans to increase the use of Lankan tea.

"Tea exporters will participate in eight international trade fairs during the first three months of this year. The trade fairs will be held in Japan, Dubai, Moscow, France and South Korea," Acting Director, Ceylon Tea Promotion, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chandramanie Bandara said.

She also said that local promotional demonstrations will also take place this year. "Our target is to increase the usage of tea.

"New ways of using tea will be promoted through tea cocktails, tea and health seminars and new tea recipes. Ice tea preparation will also be demonstrated," she said.

She added that tourists will also be encouraged to use Lankan tea by offering them a gift pack at the arrival or departure.

Sri Lanka Tea Board will also prevent low quality tea reaching the international market. " We frequently analyse the tea.

"The sampling is done at three levels, before tea auction, before export and just before shipment.

We have been doing this for the past three years and it has been successful," Tea Commissioner Nimal Udugampola said.