Govt. and Unilever partner to establish global standard for Ceylon Tea

Monday, 19 May 2025 03:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Holds high-level review meeting on progress of collaboration
Initiative aims to boost tea production up to 400 m kilos and tea export earnings to $ 2.5 b annually in next five years

In a move to elevate and safeguard the global standing of one of Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable exports, the Government has accepted standardisation for ‘Ceylon Tea’ with strategic support from global conglomerate Unilever.

Unilever, a key stakeholder in the global beverage market, has stepped forward to sponsor the standardisation and awareness programs, solidifying its commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Agriculture Ministry a year ago.

Against this backdrop, a high-level review meeting on the progress of this collaboration was held last Friday (16) at the Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry. The meeting brought together several key figures including Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry Secretary Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Tea Development and Plantation Policy Division Additional Secretary Tharangani Wickramasinghe, Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Raj Obeysekera, Tea Small Holdings Development Authority Chairman Nimal Udugampola, Pepsi Lipton International Global Brand and Sustainability Manager Olina Borodina, Global Technical and Sustainability Director James McKay, Unilever Global Supply Planner Sean McCarthy, and SL Ceytea Instant Tea Factory Head Anusha Kothalawala.

Renowned worldwide for its distinctive taste, aroma, and quality, Ceylon Tea has long held a prestigious place in the global market. However, in the face of intensifying international competition and increasingly complex global distribution networks, the Tea Development and Plantation Policy Division under the Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry is working to protect the integrity and authenticity of the Ceylon Tea brand.

The Government’s vision includes the introduction of a robust certification system to confirm the natural origin and high quality of Ceylon Tea. This effort is aimed at granting Sri Lanka a distinct competitive advantage in the global tea export market and boosting national economic gains.

Under this initiative, the Government targets a significant increase in tea production—up to 400 million kilograms annually within the next five years—and aims to boost tea export earnings to $ 2.5 billion.

A comprehensive policy document outlining these goals has already been prepared in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and submitted for cabinet approval. A detailed strategic plan to operationalise the policy is currently being finalised, with significant engagement from public and private sector partners.

A central pillar of this strategy involves the establishment of national specifications and quality standards to guarantee the highest levels of tea production. These standards will emphasise internationally accepted local sustainable cultivation practices, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), regenerative agriculture techniques, non-destructive cultivation methods, and a national framework for zero carbon emission production in the tea industry.

The plan also includes public awareness initiatives to promote the widespread adoption of these practices, with implementation support from private sector leaders.

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