Big demand for Lankan tea in Japan

Chaminda Perera

There is an immense demand in Japan for Sri Lankan tea. Tea export earnings from Japan exceeded Rs. 930 million by November last year, said Plantation Industries Minister D.M. Jayaratne.

Minister Jayaratne made these observations at a discussion with Sri Lankan tea exporters in Japan on the challenges faced by the industry. The Minister recognised them by awarding special mementos to them at the Hilton Hotel in Tokyo.

Black tea exports to Japan has also risen from 45% to 67% by 2006, an average increase of 8-9 million kilos a year, the Minister said. Japanese people prefer flavoured tea, organic tea and Gourmet package tea imported from Sri Lanka.

“We should organise workshops and seminars in Japan to educate the Sri Lankan tea exporters and Japanese customers on the high quality of our tea, the Minister said.

Sri Lanka needs to explore how green tea preparation technology and tea plucking technology could be infused to our industry which would help bolster production with a minimum number of labourers.

Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Lalith Hettiarachchi was also present.