Import of Ceylon tea by China, India soars

Monday, 31 August 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Import of Ceylon tea by China and India from Sri Lanka has risen sharply in the first seven months of this year despite overall exports have declined.

China’s imports amounted to 4.3 million kilos, up from 2.9 million kilos a year earlier. Imports by India have jumped from 0.38 million kilos to 3.23 million kilos in the first seven months.

Sharp rise in imports by China has now placed the country as the 11th biggest source and India within top 20.

These two countries also figure among the four markets which have increased import of Ceylon tea. Other two were Iraq and UAE. Purchases by Iraq were up 4.87% to 17 million kilos and that by UAE up 4.3% to 15 million kilos.

Overall January to July cumulative tea exports of 180.2 million kilos down by seven million kilos over the corresponding period of last year.

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Sri Lanka tea exports totalled 28.7 million kilos for July 2015 lower by 1.1 million kilos from a year earlier.

Turkey has emerged as the largest importer with 21.6 million kilos, though down by 5.3 million kilos it purchased in the first seven months of 2014.