Tea export revenue to top US $ 1.5 b this year
Emblems for regional niche brands:
Harshini PERERA
Lalith Hettiarachchi |
Tea export revenue is expected to reach US $ 1.5 billion as a result
of the rising trend in tea prices and production.
The improving economic condition and tapping new markets have
resulted in an increase of Ceylon tea exports for the first quarter of
this year, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Lalith Hettiarachchi told Daily
News Business.
He said Sri Lanka Tea Board has encouraged regional tea production.
They expect to promote tea internationally going by the region.
“We have already designed emblems for the regions and submitted
information to the National Intellectual Property office. Sri Lanka Tea
Board is expecting local registration soon and it will be submitted to
the World Trade Organization for international registration,” he said.
The Tea Broad Chairman said the classification of tea according to
the region of its origin will attract different tastes of the people
internationally. The new marketing strategy will increase tea exports
further.
Tea Exports n Targets
US$ 1.5 billion this year
* 58 percent bulk tea exports
* 42 percent value added tea exports
* 21 new applicants for HACCP |
Among Sri Lanka’s exports, 58 percent is bulk while 42 percent is
value added tea. He stressed the need to increase value added tea
exports.
He said that as a means of promoting value added tea, few more
incentives will be given to producers .
“There are more than 700 HACCP certificates issued for industrialists
and 21 industrialists have already applied for this year. We can expect
an increase in the number of industrialists who will apply for HACCP
certification in the future,” he said.
He said the authorities should grant necessary funding to issue the
HACCP certification for industrialists. Currently, the SWITCH ASIA
project provides necessary funding providing free consultancy for
industrialists.
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