SL January tea production up, exports down

Sri Lankan tea production has increased by 5 per cent in January 2021 amounting to 23 million kg but exports are down by 6 per cent for the same period compared to the previous year.

The Sri Lanka Tea Board has stated that the tea production in January 2021 was recorded at 23 million kg compared to 21.9 million kg in 2020.

The year on year gain was attributed to the Low Grown sector which moved up to 14.9 million kg from 13.3 million kg in January the year before.

Low Grown production is at a three year high, the Sri Lanka Tea Board has stated following more favourable growing conditions and the availability of fertilizer. High and Mid growns were lower year on year by 5 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.

However, export data made available by Asia Siyaka Research stated that Sri Lanka exported 20.8 million kg in January down by 6 per cent from the previous year’s 22 million kg.

Earnings however rose to Rs.19.2 billion up 6 per cent on the 2020 value of Rs.18 billion.

Siyaka Research also stated that exports to and through Turkey was at 3.8 million kg that topped the list of destinations followed by Russia at 2.4 million kg, Iraq at 1.7 million kg and China 1.5 million kg.

Sri Lanka shipped 0.836 million kg to China in January last year and in this respect this year’s quantity represents an 80 per cent increase continuing a positive trend that commenced in the first half of 2020. (SD)