History of Ceylon Tea

Sri Lanka tea exports grew 13.96 percent to 26.99 million kilograms in June 2021, while first half exports grew 10.3 percent to 136.9 million kilograms with Turkey retaining its position as the top buyer of Ceylon Tea, industry data showed.

Sri Lanka has earned 650 million US dollars from tea exports, up from 570 million US dollars.

In the January to June 2021 period, the average free on board (FOB) price of tea was 933.18 rupees, up from 854.92 rupees, amid a depreciation of the rupee.

Total export value for the period January to June 2021 shows grew to 21.75 billion (up 20.50 percent).

For the month of June 2021 on board price rose to 917.25 rupees in June 2021 from 902.29 rupees last year, data from Ceylon Tea Brokers, a Colombo based brokerage showed.

Bulk tea exports rose 15.8 percent to 12 million kilograms, tea in packets gained 14.5 percent to 11.98 million kilograms, while tea in bags rose a marginal 3.8 percent to 2.28 million kilograms in the month of June.

Instant tea grew 38 percent to 352,004 kilograms.

Revenues rose 15.85 percent to 24.7 billion rupees in the month of June 2021.

Turkey was the top buyer of Ceylon Tea in the first six months of the year purchasing 17 million kilograms in the first half of 2021, up from 15.7 million last year.

Iraq bought 16 million kilograms down from 16.2 million last year.

Russia bought 13.3 million kilograms, down from 14.4 million kilograms last year.

United Arab Emirates became the fourth largest buyer in the first six months taking 10.2 million kilograms, sharply up from 3.3 million last year.

China, continued to increase purchases, buying 7.4 million kilograms, up from 5.0 million last year, beating Iran.

Iran bought 6.3 million kilograms, down from 8.9 million kilograms. (Colombo/July18/2021)