The revenue of Rs. 240.6 billion realized from tea exports for January to December 2019 is the highest ever surpassing the previous best of Rs. 233.3 billion realized in 2017, Chairman of the Tea Exporters Association Sanjaya Herath said.
He also said that this further showed a growth of Rs. 8.9 billion when compared to Rs. 231.7 billion of the corresponding periods of 2018. However the export volumes were still lower than the highest volume of 320 million kg achieved in 2014.
Some are of the view that Sri Lanka should concentrate on improvement of quality of the product and production of about 250 million kg of good quality tea could fetch better prices while another school of thought says country should maintain about 350 million kg of annual tea production so that factories can operate in full capacity. “However it should be noted that world tea export volume remains at the level of 1.8 billion kg for the last 5-6 years and hence one has to offer something better than others to remain competitive.”
Both corporate and small holder farmers should respond to international demand with required products in required quality and standard at competitive prices. At present, more than 35 countries grow tea and Sri Lankan producers should recognize this competition from the other producing countries and supplying a unique product that cannot be matched by others is the way forward for the industry.
Today about 70% of Sri Lanka tea production comes from small holder farmers. It is important that, they be educated on the requirements of foreign consumers and the required quality standards.
(Daily News)