“Ceylon Tea: The Legacy, Challenges, and Future of Sri Lanka’s Tea Industry – By Malsha – eLanka
Historical Roots & Cultivation
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Coffee plantations dominated under British colonial rule until the 1860s, when blight decimated them. Tea was introduced—first in the Royal Botanical Gardens and then commercially by James Taylor at Loolecondera in 1867—ushering in a new era
- Today, around 203,000 hectares (≈4% of the country’s land) are dedicated to tea, with plantation regions categorized by altitude (low, medium, high grown) and terroir across zones like Nuwara Eliya, Uva, and Dimbula
Economic & Social Impact
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The tea sector directly employs about 1 million people—roughly 10% of the population—and more when including indirect roles .
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Around 70% of tea comes from smallholder farms, making it a cornerstone of rural economies
- In 2021, Sri Lanka produced ≈300 million kg of tea, fetching approximately USD 1.32 billion in export earnings
Quality & Global Recognition
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The nation is the 4th-largest tea producer globally and the 3rd-largest exporter, known for producing orthodox black tea, green tea, and premium varieties like silver/golden tip teas
- Sri Lanka enforces strict quality standards (ISO 3720, ISO 22000), ozone-friendly production, and certifications like Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance
Challenges Facing the Industry
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Global oversupply—especially from Kenya and India—has pressured prices, squeezing profits
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Rising costs of labor, fertiliser, and energy, plus currency depreciation, increase production cost by 45% and threaten competitiveness.
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Climate-related issues such as soil erosion, declining productivity, and insufficient replanting add to the strain
Innovation & Sustainability
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Digital transformation: COVID-19 triggered the adoption of an e-auction platform, enabling continuity and transparency. In 2021, this helped maintain two-thirds of auction volume and improved prices by about 9%
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Eco initiatives: Greater adoption of solar and hydropower—e.g., Elpitiya and Talawakelle estates now produce more energy than they consume. Many have launched reforestation projects and waste-water recycling plants .
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Emphasis on social welfare: Worker health, safety, and housing are being prioritized more than ever .
Future Outlook & Opportunities
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Premium branding: The Tea Board aims to shift from volume-focused production to premiumisation, promoting single-origin and specialty teas
- Value‑added diversification: Rising demand for flavored blends, iced tea, ready-to-drink formats, and organic/fair-trade offerings presents new avenues.
- Market & product expansion: Strategies include tapping emerging markets (Asia, Middle East), enhancing traceability (“leaf to cup”) and investing in R&D via the Tea Research Institute.
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Sustainability as a differentiator: Telling Ceylon Tea’s story—pure, ethically made, eco-friendly—aims to capture conscious consumers globally .
A Heritage Steeped in Progress
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Sri Lanka’s tea industry continues to steep tradition with innovation, sustaining millions of livelihoods while embracing digital agility and green practices. Though price pressures, cost issues, and tea plucking labor challenges remain, the push toward premium, sustainable, and traceable products shows that Ceylon Tea seeks not just to survive but to lead with distinction in the global tea market.
