Tea Exporters Association charts course for resilience, revitalisation

THE Tea Exporters Association (TEA) hosted its 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Taj Samudra, bringing together nearly 500 stakeholders, diplomats, and industry leaders to reflect on the progress of Sri Lanka's tea industry and chart a bold path forward under the theme "Resilience and Revitalisation.

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Delivering his address, TEA Chairman Huzefa Akbarally reaffirmed the association's commitment to strengthening the global position of Ceylon Tea.

"In 2025, we project tea exports of 270 million kilograms and revenues exceeding $ 1.5 billion, an increase of nearly 10% from last year. This growth is a testament to the resilience of our smallholder farmers, who produce 70% of Sri Lanka's tea. Yet, smallholder yields have declined, and urgent investment is required in replantation and block-in-filling to secure their future. With the right support, Ceylon Tea can achieve the Government's target of 400 million kilograms and $ 2.5 billion in export revenue by 2030."

Chief Guest Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister K. V. Samantha Viddyarathna stressed the importance of collective action: "Ceylon Tea is not only a proud brand but also a lifeline for our economy. By 2030, our ambition is to reach record levels of production and exports. This requires strengthening the foundation of the industry by empowering smallholders, adopting new technologies, and building resilience. We count on the Tea Exporters Association to help us deliver on this vision for the nation."