January 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tea industry has seen a notable boost in export earnings, generating a total of US$ 1.43 billion in 2024, marking an increase of over 9 per cent compared to the previous year, according to reports.
The country shipped a total of 245.79 million kilogrammes of tea last year, up from 241.91 million kilogrammes in 2023.
This increase in volume, alongside higher average earnings o US$ 5.84 per kilogramme, reflects a positive trend for Sri Lanka’s tea sector, a key pillar of its foreign revenue base.
Iraq emerged as the largest importer of Sri Lankan tea in 2024, with Russia and the United Arab Emirates following closely behind.
These markets have continued to show strong demand for the island’s premium tea, helping to drive the overall growth in export revenue.
The rise in exports comes at a crucial time for Sri Lanka, as the country seeks to strengthen its economic recovery through key industries like tea production.