High Grown tea output sinks to 34-year low in September

Saturday, 17 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

National tea production down nearly 9% YoY to 20.2 MnKg in Sept.

Sri Lanka’s tea production fell by nearly 9% year-on-year in September to 20.2 MnKg, from 22.1 MnKg a year earlier, as excessive rainfall and poor growing conditions dragged High Grown output down to its lowest level in 34 years, Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC said, citing preliminary data from the Sri Lanka Tea Board.

High Grown production in September stood at 3.49 MnKg, the lowest since 1992, when output was a similar 3.5 MnKg. Asia Siyaka noted that while the 1992 slump was driven by a severe El Niño drought, this year’s decline stemmed from the opposite extreme, with heavy rain and unfavourable weather hampering production.

Mid Grown production also weakened, falling 25% from 4.1 MnKg in September 2025 to 3.09 MnKg, its lowest level since 2023. Low Grown production, however, fared relatively better, rising by 4.8% year-on-year to 13.6 MnKg.

Cumulative production for the January to September period amounted to 192.6 MnKg, a 3% decline from 199 MnKg recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

All three elevations recorded lower cumulative output than in 2025. Combined High Grown and Mid Grown production fell by approximately 4 MnKg, while Low Grown production declined by around 2 MnKg year-on-year, Asia Siyaka said.