Tea export earnings rise 13% YoY to $ 1.4 b in first 11 months

Monday, 22 December 2025 05:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka earned an estimated $ 1.4 billion from tea exports in the 11 months to November 2025, according to Sri Lanka Customs data analysed by Forbes & Walker Research.

The earnings were 13% higher than in the corresponding period of last year of $ 1.3 billion, supported by increased cumulative export volumes, despite a marginal decline in average Free On Board (FOB) values in rupee terms.

Tea exports in November 2025 totalled 19.36 million kilos (Mnkg), down 0.71 Mnkg from 20.07 Mnkg in November 2024. Bulk Tea, Tea Packets and Tea Bags recorded year-on-year (YoY) declines during the month, while Instant Tea and Green Tea posted gains.

The average FOB value in November rose to Rs. 1,768.82 per kg, up Rs. 49.94 from a year earlier. In dollar terms, however, the FOB value declined by $ 0.12 to $ 5.77 per kg, reflecting exchange rate movements.

For the January-November 2025 period, cumulative tea exports increased to 239.57 Mnkg, a gain of 16.35 Mnkg compared to 223.22 Mnkg in the same period of 2024. All major segments except Bulk Tea recorded positive volume variances.

The cumulative FOB value for the 11 months averaged Rs. 1,755.45 per kg, down Rs. 14.48 from last year, while in dollar terms, the average edged up by $ 0.01 to $ 5.85 per kg. On this basis, total export earnings are estimated at approximately $ 1.40 billion.

Iraq remained the leading buyer of Ceylon Tea during the January-November period, importing 36.77 Mnkg, up 21% YoY. Russia ranked second with 19.94 Mnkg despite a 13% decline, followed closely by Türkiye at 19.89 Mnkg, a 21% increase.

Libya recorded a sharp expansion to 18.30 Mnkg, more than double last year’s volume, while the United Aarb Emirates, Chile, Iran, China, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia completed the list of major destinations.