The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka reduced its tea exports by 22% in March compared with March 2022, according to The Daily Mirror which cited the press service of the Sri Lankan Tea Brokers Association. The drop highlights how seasonal demand and global market conditions are shaping Sri Lanka’s harvest results and export decisions.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte reported a total delivery volume of 17.97 million kilograms. In the first quarter of 2023, January through March, Sri Lanka’s tea shipments fell by 15% year over year, totaling 54.08 million kilograms. This quarterly decline reflects ongoing fluctuations in production and international demand that affect revenue streams for Sri Lankan growers and exporters alike.
During January to March, Turkey emerged as the leading importer of Sri Lankan tea, expanding purchases by 102% from the previous year. Iraq ranked second, while Russia joined the top three destinations for Sri Lankan tea imports, underscoring the diverse regional demand for Ceylon tea across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Sri Lanka remains the third largest tea producer globally, following China and India, and it stands as a major exporter, with a substantial share of world tea exports. This positioning reflects decades of cultivation, processing expertise, and a brand associated with quality and variety that appeals to markets around the world.
Olga Alexandrova, a therapist at the Atlas clinic, noted in late February that green or black tea can be healthy when consumed without sugar, sweeteners, milk, or cream. This reminder aligns with ongoing discussions about how consumers can enjoy tea while managing dietary considerations and sugar intake.