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Tea production in Sri Lanka

{{Short description|Production of tea in Sri Lanka}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}

{{EngvarB|date=October 2020}}

File:Tea plantation Haputale.jpg

Sri Lanka (formerly called Ceylon) has a climate and varied elevation that allows for the production of both Camellia sinensis var. assamica and Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, with the assamica varietal holding the majority of production. Tea production is one of the main sources of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka, and accounts for 2% of GDP, contributing over US$1.3 billion in 2021 to the economy of Sri Lanka.{{Cite web|last=Nadeera|first=Dilshan|title=Lankan tea exports earned $ 1.3 Bn in 2021|url=http://island.lk/lankan-tea-exports-earned-1-3-bn-in-2021/|access-date=2022-02-01|language=en-US|archive-date=6 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306093613/http://island.lk/lankan-tea-exports-earned-1-3-bn-in-2021/|url-status=live}} It employs, directly or indirectly, over 1 million people, and in 1995 directly employed 215,338 on tea plantations and estates. In addition, tea planting by smallholders is the source of employment for thousands whilst it is also the main form of livelihood for tens of thousands of families. Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest producer of tea. In 1995, it was the world's leading exporter of tea (rather than producer), with 23% of the total world export, and Sri Lanka ranked second on tea export earnings in 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/264189/main-export-countries-for-tea-worldwide/|title=Leading tea exporting countries worldwide in 2020|access-date=22 September 2021|archive-date=31 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131211144/https://www.statista.com/statistics/264189/main-export-countries-for-tea-worldwide/|url-status=live}} after China. The highest production of 340 million kg was recorded in 2013, while the production in 2014 was slightly reduced to 338 million kg.Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2014, Annual Report, http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/10_pub/_docs/efr/annual_report/AR2014/English/content.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803075106/http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/10_pub/_docs/efr/annual_report/ar2014/english/content.htm |date=2015-08-03 }} India has additionally guaranteed Sri Lanka a shipment of 65,000 metric tons of urea. Sri Lanka's troubled execution of an organic agriculture initiative had pushed the country perilously close to an agricultural crisis. Given the surge in global fertilizer prices, it is improbable that Sri Lanka could procure fertilizer at prevailing market rates.{{Cite web |title=Indian Assistance to Sri Lanka: Lifeline or Chokehold? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2022/05/indian-assistance-to-sri-lanka-lifeline-or-chokehold/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601104215/https://thediplomat.com/2022/05/indian-assistance-to-sri-lanka-lifeline-or-chokehold/ |url-status=live }}

The humidity, cool temperatures, and rainfall of the country's central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high-quality tea. On the other hand, tea produced in low-elevation areas such as Matara, Galle, and Ratanapura districts with high rainfall and warm temperature has a high level of astringent properties. The tea biomass production itself is higher in low-elevation areas. Such tea is popular in the Middle East. Sri Lanka produces mostly orthodox black teas but also produces CTC, white and green teas. The two types of green tea produced are the gunpowder type and sencha. The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, a British planter who arrived in 1852.{{cite web|url=http://www1.american.edu/ted/ceylon-tea.htm|title=TED Case Studies – Ceylon Tea|publisher=American University, Washington, DC|access-date=2013-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223084443/http://www1.american.edu/ted/ceylon-tea.htm|archive-date=2015-02-23|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1796478.stm|title=Sri Lanka tops tea sales|publisher=BBC|date=1 February 2002|access-date=28 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503062703/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1796478.stm|archive-date=3 May 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.teausa.com/general/teatour.cfm%20|title=Sri Lanka Tea Tour|publisher=The Tea Association of the USA|date=August 11–17, 2003|access-date=2008-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417064040/http://www.teausa.com/general/teatour.cfm%20|archive-date=2011-04-17|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.unescap.org/drpad/publication/integra/volume3/srilanka/3sr01a.htm|title=Role of Tea in Development in Sri Lanka|publisher=United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006175302/http://www.unescap.org/drpad/publication/integra/volume3/srilanka/3sr01a.htm|archive-date=2008-10-06}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/311663.stm|title=South Asia Help for Sri Lanka's tea industry|work=BBC News|date=April 4, 1999|access-date=April 5, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630071858/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/311663.stm|archive-date=June 30, 2009|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2779267.stm|title=Sri Lanka moves to protect tea industry|work=BBC News|date=19 February 2003|access-date=5 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407050641/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2779267.stm|archive-date=7 April 2008|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2005/09/12/jenny_august.shtml|title=Just 64p a day for tea pickers in Sri Lanka|work=BBC News|date=20 September 2005|access-date=5 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630035423/http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2005/09/12/jenny_august.shtml|archive-date=30 June 2009|url-status=live}}

Tea planting under smallholder conditions has become popular in the 1970s. Most of Sri Lanka's export market is in the Middle East and Europe but there are also plenty of bidders worldwide for its specialty high-country-grown Nuwara Eliya teas.{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Krisi|title=World Atlas of Tea|publisher=Mitchell Beazley|year=2016|isbn=978-1-78472-124-4|location=Great Britain|pages=157|language=English}}

History

File:Finest Ceylon Tea blik, foto 2.JPG

The total population of Sri Lanka according to the census of 1871 was 2,584,780. The 1871 demographic distribution and population in the plantation areas are given below:{{cite web|author=Holsinger, Monte|url=http://www.historyofceylontea.com/feature-articles.asp|year=2002|title=Thesis on the History of Ceylon Tea|publisher=History of Ceylon Tea|access-date=April 25, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619083939/http://www.historyofceylontea.com/feature-articles.asp|archive-date=June 19, 2009}}File:Kandy district.svg, the heartland of tea production in Sri Lanka]]

{{static row numbers}}

class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header-text"

|+ 1871 demographic distribution

District

! Total population

! No. of estates

! Estate population

! % of population on estates

Kandy District258,43262581,476{{#expr:81476/258432*100 round 2}}
Badulla District129,00013015,555{{#expr:15555/129000*100 round 2}}
Matale District71,72411113,052{{#expr:13052/71724*100 round 2}}
Kegalle District105,287403,790{{#expr:3790/105287*100 round 2}}
Sabaragamuwa92,277373,227{{#expr:3227/92277*100 round 2}}
Nuwara Eliya District36,18421308{{#expr:308/36184*100 round 2}}
Kurunegala District207,885212,393{{#expr:2393/207885*100 round 2}}
Matara District143,379111,072{{#expr:1072/143379*100 round 2}}

= Growth and history of commercial production =

File:Henry Trafford Ceylon.jpg

== Registered tea production by elevation ==

Registered tea production in hectares and total square miles by elevation category in Sri Lanka, 1959–2000:

{{static row numbers}}

class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header-text"
Year

! High altitude hectares

! Medium altitude hectares

! Low altitude hectares

! Total hectares

! Total square miles

scope="row" | 1959

| 74,581 || 66,711 || 46,101 || 187,393 || {{convert|187393|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1960

| 79,586 || 69,482 || 48,113 || 197,181 || {{convert|197181|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1961

| 76,557 || 97,521 || 63,644 || 237,722 || {{convert|237722|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1962

| 76,707 || 97,857 || 64,661 || 239,225 || {{convert|239225|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1963

| 76,157 || 95,691 || 65,862 || 237,710 || {{convert|237710|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1964

| 81,538 || 92,281 || 65,759 || 239,578 || {{convert|239578|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1965

| 87,345 || 92,806 || 60,365 || 240,516 || {{convert|240516|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1966

| 87,514 || 93,305 || 60,563 || 241,382 || {{convert|241382|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1967

| 87,520 || 93,872 || 60,945 || 242,337 || {{convert|242337|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1968

| 81,144 || 99,359 || 61,292 || 241,795 || {{convert|241795|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1969

| 81,092 || 98,675 || 61,616 || 241,383 || {{convert|241383|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1970

| 77,549 || 98,624 || 65,625 || 241,798 || {{convert|241798|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1971

| 77,936 || 98,624 || 65,625 || 242,185 || {{convert|242185|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1972

| 77,639 || 98,252 || 65,968 || 241,859 || {{convert|241859|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1973

| 77,793 || 98,165 || 66,343 || 242,301 || {{convert|242301|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1974

| 77,693 || 97,875 || 66,622 || 242,190 || {{convert|242190|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1975

| 79,337 || 98,446 || 64,099 || 241,882 || {{convert|241882|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1976

| 79,877 || 94,338 || 66,363 || 240,578 || {{convert|240578|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1977

| 79,653 || 94,835 || 67,523 || 242,011 || {{convert|242011|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1978

| 79,628 || 95,591 || 68,023 || 243,242 || {{convert|243242|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1979

| 78,614 || 97,084 || 68,401 || 244,099 || {{convert|244099|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1980

| 78,786 || 96,950 || 68,969 || 244,705 || {{convert|244705|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1981

| 78,621 || 96,853 || 69,444 || 244,918 || {{convert|244918|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1982

| 77,769 || 96,644 || 67,728 || 242,141 || {{convert|242141|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1983

| 71,959 || 90,272 || 67,834 || 230,065 || {{convert|230065|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1984

| 74,157 || 90,203 || 63,514 || 227,874 || {{convert|227874|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1985

| 74,706 || 89,175 || 67,769 || 231,650 || {{convert|231650|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1986

| 73,206 || 85,216 || 64,483 || 222,905 || {{convert|222905|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1987

| 72,773 || 84,445 || 64,280 || 221,498 || {{convert|221498|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1988

| 72,901 || 84,227 || 64,555 || 221,683 || {{convert|221683|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1989

| 73,110 || 84,062 || 64,938 || 222,110 || {{convert|222110|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1990

| 73,138 || 83,223 || 65,397 || 221,758 || {{convert|221758|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1991

| 73,331 || 82,467 || 65,893 || 221,691 || {{convert|221691|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1992

| 74,141 || 85,510 || 62,185 || 221,836 || {{convert|221836|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1994

| 51,443 || 56,155 || 79,711 || 187,309 || {{convert|187309|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1995

| 51,443 || 56,155 || 79,711 || 187,309 || {{convert|187309|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1996

| 52,272 || 56,863 || 79,836 || 188,971 || {{convert|188971|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1997

| 51,444 || 58,155 || 79,711 || 189,310 || {{convert|189310|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 1998

| 51,444 || 58,155 || 79,711 || 189,310 || {{convert|189310|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

scope="row" | 2000

| 52,272 || 56,863 || 79,836 || 188,971 || {{convert|188971|ha|sqmi|disp=output number only|1}}

{{clear}}

= Main destination of Sri Lankan teas =

The most important foreign markets for Sri Lankan tea are the former Soviet bloc countries of the CIS, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UK, Egypt, Libya and Japan.{{cite web|date=February 1, 2002|title=Sri Lanka tops tea sales|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1796478.stm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040502232814/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1796478.stm|archive-date=May 2, 2004|access-date=April 25, 2009|publisher=BBC}}

The most important foreign markets for Sri Lankan tea are as follows, in terms of millions of kilograms and millions of pounds imported. The figures were recorded in 2000:

File:Te-sacs.jpg

{{static row numbers}}

class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header-text"

|+ Total Exports

width="100" | Countrywidth="100" | Million kilogramswidth="100" | Million poundswidth ="100" | Total Percent
align="left" | CIS Countries57.6{{convert|57.6|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:57.6/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | UAE48.1{{convert|48.1|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:48.1/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Russia46.1{{convert|46.1|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:46.1/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Syria21.5{{convert|21.5|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:21.5/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Turkey20.3{{convert|20.3|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:20.3/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Iran12.5{{convert|12.5|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:12.5/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Saudi Arabia11.4{{convert|11.4|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:11.4/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Iraq11.1{{convert|11.1|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:11.1/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | UK10.2{{convert|10.20|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:10.2/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Egypt10.1{{convert|10.1|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:10.1/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Libya10.0{{convert|10|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:10/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Japan8.3{{convert|8.3|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:8.3/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Germany5.0{{convert|5|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:5.0/288*100 round 2}}
align="left" | Others23.7{{convert|23.7|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:23.7/288*100 round 2}}
class="sortbottom"

! align="left" | Total

288{{convert|288|kg|lb|disp=output number only|1}}{{#expr:288/288*100 round 2}}

= Revenue Statistics =

{{static row numbers}}

class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header-text"
Year

!Total Export Revenue of Tea (in million. US$) {{cite web|title=Merchandize exports reached US$ 13 Bn in 2022|date=31 January 2023 |publisher=Ada Derana|url=http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/merchandize-exports-reached-us-13-bn-in-2022/|access-date=31 Jan 2023|archive-date=6 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306093645/http://bizenglish.adaderana.lk/merchandize-exports-reached-us-13-bn-in-2022/|url-status=live}}https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/01/29/business/712892/increase-in-lankan-tea-production-exports-and-national-average/https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Merchandise-exports-anchor-US---12-7bn-revenue-in-2024/108-301084

2019{{increase}}$1,346
2020{{decrease}}$1,241
2021{{increase}}$1,324
2022{{decrease}}$1,258
2023{{increase}}$1,310
2024{{increase}}$1,435

Branding

{{Main|Ceylon tea}}

File:Ceylon Tea logo.png

The Sri Lanka Tea Board is the legal proprietor of the lion logo of Ceylon tea. The logo has been registered as a trademark in many countries. To appear the Lion logo on a tea pack, it must meet four criteria.

  1. The Lion Logo can only be used on consumer packs of Ceylon tea.
  2. The packs must contain 100 percent of pure Ceylon tea.
  3. The packaging should be done only in Sri Lanka.
  4. The brands which employ the Lion logo should meet the quality standards set by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.{{cite web |title=Tea from Sri Lanka |url=https://www.srilankabusiness.com/pdf/tea-ebrochures-1.pdf |publisher=Sri Lanka Export Development Board |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=30 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630141026/https://www.srilankabusiness.com/pdf/tea-ebrochures-1.pdf |url-status=live }}

The logo is considered to be a "known sign of high quality" around the world.{{cite web |author1=Johnsson, S. |title=The green gold from Sri Lanka |url=https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:971300/FULLTEXT01.pdf |access-date=27 March 2021 |location=Linnaeus University |page=43 |date=23 May 2016 |archive-date=1 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101164615/https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:971300/FULLTEXT01.pdf |url-status=live }} The Sri Lanka Tea board signed an agreement to sponsor Sri Lanka national cricket team and Sri Lanka women's national cricket team in their overseas tours for US$4 million for three years.{{cite web |title=Ceylon Tea – The Official Overseas Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket |url=http://www.srilankateaboard.lk/index.php/the-official-overseas-sponser-of-sri-lanka-cricket |website=srilankateaboard.lk |publisher=Sri Lanka Tea Board |access-date=27 March 2021 |date=7 January 2015 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105095156/http://www.srilankateaboard.lk/index.php/the-official-overseas-sponser-of-sri-lanka-cricket |url-status=dead }}

Research

= The Tea Research Institute =

The Tea Research Ordinance was enacted by Parliament in 1925 and the Tea Research Institute (TRI) was founded. It is at present the only national body in the country that generates and disseminates new research and technology related to the processing and cultivation of tea.[http://www.tri.lk/tri/tri/7 Who we are] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427004156/http://www.tri.lk/tri/tri/7 |date=2017-04-27 }}, Tea Research Institute – Sri Lanka. Retrieved April 2017

Beginning in the early 1970s, two researchers from the National Institute of Dental Research in Bethesda, Maryland, USA conducted a series of research projects in which they arranged a longitudinal study group of a large number of Tamil tea labourers who worked at the Dunsinane and Harrow Tea Estates, {{convert|50|mi|km|order=flip}} from Kandy. This landmark study was possible because the population of tea labourers were known to have never employed any conventional oral hygiene measures, thereby providing some insight into the natural history of periodontal disease in man.Löe, H, et al. Natural history of periodontal disease in humans. J Clin Perio 1986;13:431–440.

Sustainability standards and certifications

There are several organisations, both international and local, that promote and enforce sustainability standards and certifications about tea in Sri Lanka.

Among the international organisations that operate within Sri Lanka are Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, UTZ Certified, and Ethical Tea Partnership.

The Small Organic Farmers' Association (SOFA) is a local organisation dedicated to organic farming.

Gallery

Tea Plantations in Sri Lanka situated in Wewalthalawa.jpg|Tea plantations in Wewalthalawa

Haputale, Sri Lanka, Tea plantations and trees.jpg|Tea plantations near Haputale, Uva

Sri Lanka, Tea plantations, Nuwara Eliya.jpg|Tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya

Sri Lanka, Tea plantations, Nuwara Eliya, Picking tea leaves.jpg|Picking tea leaves

Sri Lanka, Tea leaves, Nuwara Eliya.jpg|Tea leaves

Tea plantation Sri.jpg|Tea harvester in Sri Lanka

See also

{{Clear}}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

Further reading

  • {{cite book |title=The Ceylon Tea-Makers' Handbook|author=George Thornton Pett |publisher=The Times of Ceylon Steam Press, Colombo |year=1899|url=https://archive.org/stream/ceylonteamakersh00pettrich#page/n3/mode/2up }}

External links

{{Commons category|Tea plantations in Sri Lanka}}

  • {{website|http://www.pureceylontea.com/}}, Official website of the Sri Lanka Tea Board
  • [http://www.teamuse.com/article_000903.html Taylor, Lipton and the Birth of Ceylon Tea]

{{Asia topic|Tea production in}}

{{Teas}}

{{British Ceylon period topics}}

{{Economy of Sri Lanka}}

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Category:Agriculture in Sri Lanka

Category:Economy of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Category:Tea industry in Sri Lanka