Sri Lanka’s tea output set to grow 10–12% in 2026 despite cyclone losses

By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, Feb. 5 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka’s tea production is expected to grow between 10% and 12% in 2026, despite losing nearly one million kilograms due to Cyclone Ditwah, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman W.L.P. Wijewardene said.

Speaking to the media, Wijewardene said that if favourable weather conditions continue, the country could achieve its annual tea production target of 300 million kilograms.

Sri Lanka’s tea output in 2025 increased to 264.12 million kilograms, surpassing the 2024 figure of 262.69 million kilograms, representing a year-on-year growth of 1.43 million kilograms. He highlighted that the government’s fertilizer subsidy was a major contributor to this growth. Production in 2025 was also 8.03 million kilograms higher than the output recorded in 2023.

However, Wijewardene pointed out that the Department of Census and Statistics’ GDP by Product Report for Q3 2025 showed an 8.1% decline in tea production volume due to supply-side constraints, including rising input costs, delays in replanting tea estates, and labour shortages.

Meanwhile, tea exports rose by 11.65 million kilograms in 2025, reaching 257.4 million kilograms, compared to 245.7 million kilograms in 2024. Export earnings increased to USD 1.506 billion, up from USD 1.434 billion in the previous year. The Free on Board (FOB) average export price remained largely stable at USD 5.85 per kilogram, marginally higher than USD 5.84 recorded in 2024, Wijewardene added.