By: Staff Writer
December 12, Colombo (LNW): While Sri Lanka’s tea industry has weathered Cyclone Ditwah with minimal reported losses, the recent disruption highlights the fragile nature of the nation’s tea supply chain and the heavy reliance on well-coordinated but vulnerable logistics.
The Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) reported that harvesting, transportation, and auction activities are returning to normal, yet the cyclone temporarily paralyzed roads, disrupted deliveries, and damaged machinery in a limited number of warehouses.
Although the CTTA assured no losses in manufacturing capacity, the incident exposed critical weaknesses in infrastructure connecting plantations to Colombo. Road closures forced the construction of temporary access routes to ensure green leaf transport, while floods in Kelani River areas damaged tea bagging equipment, illustrating how quickly natural events can disrupt production and export schedules.
Sri Lanka produces over 220 million kilograms of tea annually, yet this high output depends on the smooth functioning of a complex supply chain involving smallholders, exporters, and brokers. Any disruption even short-term—threatens financial flows, export commitments, and the reputation of Ceylon Tea abroad. Critics argue that reliance on temporary solutions, rather than permanent infrastructure investment, leaves the industry perpetually exposed to natural disasters.
While the industry has historically demonstrated resilience transitioning to digital tea auctions during COVID-19 and maintaining exports during economic crises experts warn that the recurrence of climate-related events like Cyclone Ditwah underscores the need for proactive risk management, climate-resilient infrastructure, and contingency planning.
The CTTA’s network of stakeholders, from planters to smallholders, has repeatedly stepped in to resolve crises. Yet the cyclone serves as a stark reminder that the industry’s growth and global reputation remain heavily dependent on reactive measures rather than systemic preparedness. Analyst’s caution that without sustained investment in roads, storage facilities, and flood-proof equipment, even minor cyclones could trigger far more serious disruptions in the future.
The recent events emphasize the urgent need for a strategic overhaul of the tea supply chain, balancing short-term recovery with long-term resilience, to protect both domestic livelihoods and international markets.
