Ceylon Tea exports inch up in August

Sri Lanka’s tea exports maintained steady ground in August, with volumes reaching 23.70 million kilogrammes, an improvement of 1.61 million kilogrammes from the same month last year, the official figures showed.

The growth was broad-based across categories, with the exception of green tea, which recorded a dip. On value, the FOB price averaged Rs.1,805.35 per kilogramme, up Rs.28.69 year-on-year, though in dollar terms the gain was a modest US $ 0.08.

For the first eight months of 2025, the cumulative exports rose to 174.55 million kilogrammes, reflecting a 12 million kilogramme increase against the same period in 2024. While most categories showed positive variances, the bulk tea shipments lagged.

The average FOB value for the period was Rs.1,756.23 per kilogramme, slightly lower than last year’s Rs.1,772.16, though dollar returns nudged higher by US $ 0.09. In rupee terms, bulk and packeted teas slipped, while tea bags, instant tea and green tea delivered gains. In dollar terms, all categories except packets, posted improvements.

On the demand side, Iraq continued to anchor as the largest buyer, importing 26 million kilogrammes between January and August, up 23 percent from last year. Russia followed with 14.77 million kilogrammes, though the volumes fell 11 percent year-on-year. Libya showed a sharp rebound, securing the third place with 14.39 million kilogrammes, up 198 percent, while the United Arab Emirates dropped to fourth, with a 20 percent contraction to 12.72 million kilogrammes.

Turkey held steady with a 2 percent increase at 12.49 million kilogrammes and Iran advanced 6 percent to 8.31 million kilogrammes, overtaking Chile’s 7.71 million kilogrammes. China, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia rounded off the top 10 importers.