Tea output falls in May as high-grown crop weakens

Ceylon Tea production fell in May, as the weaker output from the high and medium-grown regions offset the gains in the low-grown teas, adding to the signs of a slower start to the year for one of the country’s key export industries.

Tea production for May 2026 stood at 24.91 million kilogrammes, down 2.1 percent from 25.43 million kilogrammes produced in the corresponding month last year, according to the data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research.

The decline was driven by lower harvests from the high and medium-grown elevations, which recorded year-on-year contractions of 3.9 percent and 7.6 percent, respectively. In contrast, the low-grown tea production, which accounts for the largest share of Sri Lanka’s crop, increased marginally by 0.6 percent to 14.51 million kilogrammes. The green tea output also edged lower during the month.

The latest figures suggest that while the low-grown teas continue to provide a degree of resilience, the production challenges in the higher elevations are weighing on the overall industry performance. On a cumulative basis, tea production during the first five months of 2026 amounted to 108.95 million kilogrammes, a decline of 4.5 percent or 5.11 million kilogrammes, from 114.06 million kilogrammes recorded during the same period last year.

All elevations, with the exception of the green tea segment, recorded lower production compared with January-May 2025. The low-grown teas posted the largest drop, with the output declining by 3.06 million kilogrammes, while the medium-grown and high-grown production fell by 1.42 million kilogrammes and 0.66 million kilogrammes, respectively.

However, the industry’s performance remains stronger than in 2024. Compared with the first five months of that year, the cumulative production in 2026 was higher by 4.15 million kilogrammes, with all elevations recording gains. 

The high-grown production increased 10.9 percent from the 2024 levels, while the medium-grown output rose 5.9 percent and low-grown production improved by 0.6 percent. The green tea production recorded the strongest growth, rising 24 percent.