📈 Ceylon Tea Exports: May Rebound Amid YTD Challenges

Sri Lanka’s tea sector saw a monthly recovery, though cumulative figures for 2026 remain pressured. • Monthly Performance: May exports rose 7.5% YoY to 23.51 Mn/Kgs. • Cumulative Volumes: Jan-May 2026 exports totaled 101.85 Mn/Kgs, a decline of 1.43 Mn/Kgs compared to the same period in 2025. • Pricing Trends: While average FOB values in LKR rose to Rs. 1,797.58/kg for the YTD period, dollar-denominated prices fell to $ 5.72/kg (from $ 5.91/kg), reflecting international market pressures. Top Export Destinations (Jan-May 2026): • Türkiye: 14.95 Mn/Kgs (+159% YoY), now the leading market. • Iraq: 11.82 Mn/Kgs (-18% YoY). • Russia: 9.83 Mn/Kgs (+8% YoY). • Azerbaijan: 5.36 Mn/Kgs (+69% YoY). • China: 4.04 Mn/Kgs (-4% YoY). Note: Despite growth in May, the sector faces headwinds with declining volumes in most major segments and significant volatility in traditional markets like Libya (-60%).