Sri Lanka's Tea Industry: Resilient Amidst Recent Challenges 📈

Sri Lanka's tea industry continues to demonstrate strong resilience, navigating recent challenges from Cyclone Ditwah and localized flooding. • The industry has successfully overcome past adversities like the COVID-19 pandemic (digitalizing auctions) and severe economic crises, maintaining uninterrupted production and exports. • Cyclone Ditwah Impact: • Damage largely confined to specific roads in Uva and Central Province, causing temporary transport disruptions. • No loss of manufacturing capacity reported. • Harvesting operations are gradually returning to normal with reopened and temporary access roads. • Majority of southern plantations, smallholdings, and main road networks were spared. • Flood Impact: • Limited impact on exporters' offices and warehouses due to Kelani River floods. • Some machinery, like tea bagging machines, were damaged but restoration efforts are underway to ensure timely deliveries. • Production: • January-October 2025 tea production reached 220,972,295 Kgs. • This marks an increase of 3,318,755 Kgs compared to the same period in 2024 and also surpasses 2023 figures for the similar period. • Colombo Tea Auctions: • Trading activities continue with a revised calendar (December 1st week auction rescheduled to last week). • This adjustment aims to ensure uninterrupted financial flows to producers, including smallholders. The industry remains confident in its collective ability to navigate these times, assuring global supply of "Ceylon Tea."