Tea output slips in Nov.; cumulative crop still ahead in 2025

Wednesday, 17 December 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nov. 2025 production declines to 21.45 Mnkg, down 1.28 Mnkg YoY
All elevations post monthly declines; Low Growns see steepest volume fall
Jan.–Nov. 2025 cumulative output rises 0.7% to 242.57 Mnkg

Sri Lanka’s tea production declined in November 2025, reversing the marginal gains seen a month earlier, although cumulative output for the year to date remained ahead of last year’s levels.

Provisional data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research show November production at 21.45 million kilos (Mnkg), a decrease of 1.28 Mnkg from 22.73 Mnkg recorded in November 2024. All elevations recorded negative variances year-on-year. Compared to November 2023, however, output increased by 1.67 Mnkg from 19.78 Mnkg.

High Grown production fell 8.41% year-on-year to 4.59 Mnkg, while Medium Grown output declined 7.58% to 3.89 Mnkg. Low Grown production decreased by 3.96% to 12.78 Mnkg, accounting for the largest absolute drop in volume, a decline of 0.53 Mnkg. Green tea output slipped 5.28% to 192,855 kilos. Against 2023 levels, all categories except green tea recorded increases, with Medium Growns posting a double-digit gain.

Cumulative production for January to November 2025 reached 242.57 Mnkg, up 1.69 Mnkg from 240.88 Mnkg in the corresponding period of 2024. All elevations recorded gains compared to last year, with High Grown output rising 1.18% to 50.55 Mnkg, Medium Grown increasing 1.85% to 43.49 Mnkg, and Low Grown edging up 0.17% to 146.40 Mnkg. Green Tea production increased 3.17% to 2.14 Mnkg.

Compared to the 236.28 Mnkg produced in the first 11 months of 2023, cumulative output in 2025 reflects an increase of 6.29 Mnkg. Medium Grown, Low Grown, and Green Tea segments exceeded 2023 levels, while High Grown production remained 4.52% below the corresponding period.