High tea production in Lanka

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has registered a 29 per cent increase in its tea output to around 112 million kgs in the first four months of 2008 that is expected to give a boost to its exports, which are slated to cross one billion dollars in value terms this year.

Sri Lanka's tea exports is likely to grow by 15 per cent for 2008 against the landmark one billion dollar export mark on top of high output due to favourable weather conditions this year, according to experts.

The rise in demand for Sri Lankan black tea from Russia, Iran and Libya is likely to push tea exports from the country to a new high in 2008, they said.

Sri Lanka would face competition for its sought after orthodox tea (black tea) from Vietnam, which produces similar variety of high quality tea.

Tea production for the period January-April 2008 is pegged at around 112 million kgs, which is 29.2 per cent higher as compared to the same period in 2007, the Sri Lankan Tea Board said.

Last year, tea production between January-April stood at about almost 86.8 million kgs and has increased by almost 25.3 million kg during the same period this year, it said. Last month alone, tea production neared the 30 million kg mark, an increase of 28.2 per cent compared to April of last year.

"Total reported production of tea in Sri Lanka during April 2008, amounted to 29,543,255 kg as against 23,047,036 kg produced during the corresponding month in 2007. This shows an increase of 6,496,036 kg, or 28.2 per cent," Sri Lanka Tea Board said.

Amongst the various varieties, production of High Grown Tea in Sri Lanka increased to 26.7 million kg during the first four months of 2008 as against 20.9 million kg during the same period last year.

While Medium Grown Tea in the country touched 19.4 million kg from 14.5 million kg during the same period last year, that of Low Grown teas increased to almost 66 million kg from 51.3 million kg during the period under review.

Total tea production in Sri Lanka during 2007 stood at 304.6 million kg. Plantation Industries Minister D M Jayaratne asked the country's tea industry to adopt a three-pronged strategy to further increase the income from the sector.

The strategy, includes increasing the production of good quality tea leaves, increasing the productivity of the workers and exploring the sales strategies to increase exports, he said.

Jayaratne said that though the smallholders are getting good yields, the tea estates managed by the companies should push up yield levels.

The total acreage of tea under cultivation in the country stood at 221,000 hectares in 14 administrative districts and has created more than 1.2 million direct and indirect employment opportunities. - The Hindu