Tea exports boom

Chaminda Perera

The Tea Board said Sri Lanka has exported 101.774 metric tonnes of tea for the first seven months.

This is a 10.7 per cent increase or 18,511 metric tonnes over the corresponding year. United Arab Emirates, Russia and Iran still remain as top buyers of Sri Lankan tea.

UAE has purchased 16.4 per cent of tea exports this year while Russia and Iran purchased 14.9 per cent and 10.6 per cent respectively. Syria and Turkey also continue to buy Sri Lankan tea.

The UAE has replaced Russia in terms of importing Sri Lankan tea. Russia imported 17.3 per cent of Sri Lankan tea last year tea imports have shown slight decrease this year.

The Board anticipates that Sri Lanka would be able to export 325,000 metric tonnes by year end and derive fresh revenue of Rs 150 million if this trend continues further.