Business
‘Highest ever export earnings from tea, rubber and cinnamon this year’
Exports of rubber, coconut, and cinnamon have generated US $ 4 billion in export earnings this year, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.
“This year is the golden year of the plantation industry despite some issues,” the minister said.
The Minister made this observation while participating in a function organized at the Apegama premises in Battaramulla to recognize the officers who have completed 25 years of service in the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority.
The Minister said the plantation industry and agriculture faced a severe crisis this year. “Even at that moment, the crises have not been resolved. Those crises arose with the ban on fertilizer. But we have already found solutions to the problem. So, do not hesitate to get involved in the plantation industry. But, whatever the challenges, we are committed to making the tea industry a profitable industry next year. The Tea Small Holdings Development Authority has a special role to play in carrying out that task.
“Despite the crisis, this year has been a golden year for the plantation industry. Nearly US $ 4 billion is expected to be earned from the export of rubber, coconut, and cinnamon this year. This will be the highest export earnings we receive the first time in history. Despite the potential for high export earnings from the tea industry, it was missed. But there is a potential to harvest about 305 million kilos of tea this year. We are ready to meet the problems that we have faced this year and face them in a new way next year as well. As a government, we are ready to provide maximum assistance for the purpose,” he said.
Minister Pathirana said that this year has been a year of high tea replanting. We are also ready to provide tea plants and compost fertilizer free of charge to anyone who wishes to grow tea. Now we need to go beyond traditional cultivation. Only then, we will be able to build a better plantation economy. A large number of people have already asked for tea plants. It is our responsibility to provide them with the necessary technical know-how and high-yielding tea plants.
The Government has given permission to import fertilizer again. Therefore, the country will receive sufficient fertilizer by February. But now the price of fertilizer in the world market has gone up. Due to this, a problem has arisen in our country regarding the price of fertilizer.
He said that as per the plans, discussions are already underway to give a higher price for the green leaf at a low-price next year.
State Minister of Company Establishment Reforms, Tea Estate Crops, Tea Factory Modernization, and Tea Export Diversification Kanaka Herath, Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation Ravindra Hewawitharana, Secretary to the State Ministry Tilakaratne Banda, Chairman of the Tea Small Holdings Development Authority Dr. Thushara Priyadarshana, and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board Jayampathi Molligoda were also present.
In a world where every strong cuppa tells a unique story, Sri Lanka’s famed Ceylon Tea continues to carve its legacy – one cup at a time. The latest tea export figures for March 2025 reveal a tale of resilience, with total shipments rising to 23.43 million kilograms, up from 21.25 million kgs the previous year.
But the real headline is; Libya’s staggering 416% surge in Ceylon Tea imports – marking a bold new chapter in Sri Lanka’s tea trade. While traditional markets like Iraq and Russia held steady, Libya emerged as the ‘breakout star’, importing 5.31 million kgs in the first quarter of 2025 – a jaw-dropping leap from just 1.03 million kgs in 2024.
This explosive growth signals a burgeoning demand for Sri Lanka’s premium leaves in North Africa, where the rich, aromatic flavors of Ceylon Tea are winning hearts and palates.
Quadrupling Libya’s appetite for Ceylon Tea even in challenging global markets, is reflecting the fact that Sri Lanka’s tea can find loyal fans in evolving markets.
However, while the export values shine in USD terms, the rupee value of tea exports dipped slightly – a stark reminder of currency fluctuations impacting export earnings. Yet, the broader trend remains positive for Ceylon Tea, with cumulative exports for Q1 2025 reaching 63.21 million kgs, up from 62.33 million kgs last year.
Key markets like Iraq (+7%) and Chile (+41%) showed strong growth, while Russia and the UAE saw mild declines. Meanwhile, Tea Bags and Instant Tea have posted gains even in rupee terms – marking a bright spot in an otherwise mixed landscape, where Tea in Bulk and Green Tea segments have witnessed a decline against the same period of the previous year.
On the production front, tea production for the month of March 2025 totalled 24.43 M/Kgs, showing an increase of 4.86 M/Kgs vis-à-vis 19.57 M/Kgs of March 2024. All elevations showed an increase in comparison with the corresponding month of 2024.
“As Sri Lanka’s tea industry navigates global headwinds, the increase in production and Libya’s soaring demand could offer a breather,” analysts said.
(Source: Forbes & Walker Pvt Ltd, Sri Lanka Customs, Central Bank of Sri Lanka)
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Photo Credit: Sri Lanka Executive Aviation Services
In a groundbreaking collaboration set to transform Sri Lanka’s premium coffee landscape, Fits Retail has partnered with retail giant Abans PLC to showcase the iconic DeLonghi coffee machines at two of Colombo’s most prestigious locations: Abans Elite Colombo 3 and Abans Havelock City Mall showrooms.
This exclusive partnership presents a rare opportunity for coffee aficionados to experience firsthand why DeLonghi has become synonymous with coffee perfection worldwide.
With a heritage spanning over 100 years, DeLonghi proudly holds the title as the number one coffee machine brand in more than 46 countries, celebrated globally for its exceptional quality, innovation, and unrivaled Italian craftsmanship. Fits Retail’s collaboration with Abans PLC brings these legendary machines directly to Sri Lankan coffee enthusiasts, creating immersive experience zones designed to elevate everyday coffee moments into extraordinary rituals.
At these dedicated demonstration zones, visitors can discover the unparalleled precision engineering and user-friendly technology that have made DeLonghi machines the preferred choice for discerning coffee lovers in more than 46 countries worldwide.
Business
Ceyline Group and Lion Brewery Forge a Sustainable Future with Eco-Friendly Warehousing and Distribution.
Ceyline Total Solutions, the end-to-end logistic solutions provider of Sri Lanka’s leading maritime and logistics group Ceyline, has built Lion Brewery’s first sustainability-focused warehousing and distribution center in just 100 days.
Located in Tangalle, the facility reflects a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. Half of the structure is made from repurposed shipping containers, reducing both waste and carbon emissions. The project, executed by Ceyline’s brand for sustainable living spaces “Out of the Box” features interior fittings made from recycled and reused brewery waste materials, maximizing sustainability and cost efficiency. Ceyline also has already applied for CEB approval to install solar power for the facility to ensure its operation is powered by clean and green energy.
Lion Brewery will further its mission for an efficient and eco-friendly supply chain by incorporating elements such as electric forklifts, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.
This collaboration not only delivers a pioneering green logistics facility but also sets a new benchmark for sustainable warehousing in Sri Lanka. It showcases the power of collaborative innovation in driving responsible industrial development.
Kaveen Gayathma, Senior Vice President (Outbound Logistics) of Lion Brewery, added, “This project further strengthens our distinctive ‘route-to-market’ approach. Our collective efforts in conceptualizing,
drafting, and crafting have culminated in the creation of a truly one-of-a-kind model. The company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability is clearly demonstrated here, all while achieving our strategic objectives in a practical and cost-effective manner.”
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