Adulteration of Ceylon Tea hurts industry
The tea traders industry is faced with a grave crisis of adulteration of Ceylon Tea by factories.
“Adulteration is one of the most serious problems we are facing,” Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) Chairman Jayantha Karunaratne said at the 126th AGM of the CTTA on September 25 at the Cinnamon Grand in Colombo.
He hoped that once this issue is resolved they could obtain better and improved prices in future.
Mr. Karunaratne also raised the issue of the issues faced by the major importers of Ceylon Tea in terms of the economic sanctions by the US against one of the key markets Iran that is “severely impacting Sri Lanka.”
Moreover, he pointed out that there is a campaign by non-governmental organisations against Ceylon Tea by highlighting that tea workers are being exploited on the plantations.
The Colombo Tea Convention that had been scheduled to be held next year will not take place as planned due to the COVID-19 concerns, he said.
He noted that they had established an e-platform and is currently in the process of developing software to be launched soon.
Plantations Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana addressing the gathering said that the industry needed to improve production, productivity and quality. Moreover, he commended the support extended by the CTTA to establish nurseries for the development of the plantations and crop.
He pointed out that “we should be able to produce little more than what we do now” adding that 2013 recorded the highest yields of 330 million kg.
The minister also recognised the difficulties faced by the factory owners and said that they were ready to provide subsidies for replantation and grants and loans to farmers.
State Minister Kanaka Herath also spoke at the event.
Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Jayampathy Molligoda pointed out that automation of the auction had been proposed seven years back.
He noted that last year they had temporarily suspended issuing licences and said that the board had placed a good action plan for the registration of Ceylon Tea.