Sri Lanka’s Ceylon tea output down 22.7-pct in May 2022

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Tea production is down 22.7 percent in June 2022 from a year earlier to 18.5 million kilograms while the total output for the first six months dipped 17.8 percent from the previous year, data shows.

In June high grown teas were down 31.6 percent to 3.7 million kilograms, medium grown was fell 31.6 percent to 2.5 million kilograms and low-grown were down 16.2 percent to 12.3 million kilograms, industry data published by Forbes and Walkers Tea Brokers show.

“Elevation-wise analysis shows that for the month of June 2022 High, Medium & Low Growns show a decrease of –
1.87Mn/Kg, -1.55 Mn/Kg & -2.49Mn/Kg respectively when compared to the same month last year.,” industry data said.

Low-grown teas, mostly grown by small holders and exported to the Middle East and Central Asia, are now the most sought-after and expensive Ceylon Teas.

The national average tea price in the month of May was 3.46 dollars or 1,245.22 in rupees.

Sri Lankan tea has been earning higher prices for tea exports in rupees after the currency was depreciated in March against the USA dollar in 2022.

However, the industry had previously predicted the tea output to dip following a fertiliser ban imposed from April to November 2021.

The ban was imposed on fertilizer and agrochemicals after money printing created forex shortages and health concerns.

Sri Lanka’s Government Medical Officers Association, a key policy advisory group, had said according to the Roman author and natural philosopher Pliny the Elder, ancient Sri Lankans lived over 140 years. After agrochemicals, non-communicable diseases worsened.

Sri Lanka’s June tea exports too dipped 12.6 percent to 23.58 million kilograms (Colombo/Jul24/2021)