Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday, 25 November 2025 02:51 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka earned $ 1.29 billion from tea exports in the ten months to October 2025, according to Sri Lanka Customs data analysed by Forbes and Walker Research.
Earnings were higher than the $ 1.18 billion recorded in the same period last year, reflecting an increase of around 9%.
On this revenue base, the approximate FOB value works out to $ 5.86 per kg, marginally above the $ 5.84 per kg recorded in 2024.
Sri Lanka exported 21.88 Mnkg of tea in October 2025, up from 20.79 Mnkg in October 2024. The increase of 1.09 Mnkg was supported by higher shipments of tea packets and tea bags, while bulk tea, instant tea and green tea posted year-on-year declines.
The average FOB value for October was Rs. 1,752.65 per kg, compared with Rs. 1,791.78 a year earlier. In dollar terms, the October FOB fell by $ 0.32.
For the period January–October 2025, cumulative exports rose to 220.21 Mnkg, up 17.06 Mnkg compared with 203.15 Mnkg in the corresponding period of 2024. All major export categories except bulk tea recorded positive variances.
The cumulative FOB value averaged Rs. 1,754.28 per kg, down Rs. 20.70 from last year’s Rs. 1,774.98. In USD terms, this represented an increase of $ 0.02.
Bulk and packed teas recorded lower FOB values in rupee terms. Tea bags, instant tea and green tea posted gains in rupee terms, while in dollar terms, all categories except bulk and packed tea recorded increases over the previous year.
Iraq remained the leading buyer of Ceylon Tea, importing 33.88 Mnkg in the January–October period, up 25% from 27.10 Mnkg last year. Russia ranked second with 18.40 Mnkg despite an 11% year-on-year decline, followed by Türkiye with 17.73 Mnkg, a 20% increase.
Libya recorded one of the sharpest expansions, importing 17.40 Mnkg up 134% from 7.42 Mnkg last year. Chile purchased 9.53 Mnkg, up 35% year-on-year, while Iran imported 9.4 Mnkg, an 8% increase. China imported 8.73 Mnkg, followed by Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia at 7.54 Mnkg and 7.31 Mnkg respectively.
