The latest data on tea exports reveals a positive trend for the month of May 2023. Total tea exports reached 20.55 million kilograms (M/Kgs), indicating a gain of 0.83 M/Kgs compared to May 2022’s figure of 19.72 M/Kgs. While tea in bulk and tea bags experienced a slight growth, tea packets recorded a marginal decline in comparison to the corresponding month of the previous year.
The Free on Board (FOB) value for May 2023 was recorded at Rs. 1,755.58, representing an increase of Rs. 50.44 year-on-year (YoY) compared to May 2022’s Rs. 1,705.14. Forbes & Walker Research reported positive variances in all main categories when measured in USD terms.
Looking at the cumulative exports from January to May 2023, the total stood at 90.80 M/Kgs, reflecting a decrease of 10.92 M/Kgs compared to the corresponding period in 2022 (101.72 M/Kgs). Tea in bulk and packeted tea displayed negative variances, while the remaining product categories exhibited a marginal increase. The FOB value for this period amounted to Rs. 1,941.81, signifying a significant increase of Rs. 739.75 compared to January-May 2022’s Rs. 1,202.06.
In USD terms, all categories demonstrated gains when compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
Türkiye continued to hold its position as the leading importer of Ceylon Tea, experiencing an 84% YoY increase in January-May 2023. Iraq, on the other hand, slipped to the second position with 10.43 M/Kgs, reflecting a 46% decrease in imports. Russia secured the third position with a 20% increase in exports YoY.
