Lanka aims to raise tea exports

Sri Lanka earned 1.5 billion rupees ($13.17 million) from the tea industry last year and the government has initiated several programs to promote the commodity in global markets. Industry standards are also improving with more and more tea factories and estates acquiring international certification. Sri Lanka has become the third largest tea exporting country and the fourth largest tea producer in the world, say officials.

Addressing a recent conference in Colombo, Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said an important threshold would be registered in local output this year, coinciding with the 145th anniversary of the commercial tea industry.

He said the local tea industry had achieved significant gains in recent years.

The Minister said it is the objective of the government to re-acquire the position of the leading tea exporter in the world, which Sri Lanka held in the year 2006.

Tea Research Institute Chairman Gerry Jayawardena said Sri Lanka is testing new varieties of tea that have better ability to tolerate drought and disease. Jayawardena said new types of tea plants are required to cater to consumer preferences for food grown without use of chemicals and to adopt for climate changes.

He said the Tea Research Institute is to release new varieties over the next two years.

He said the new varieties are now being tested with small holders and regional plantations companies. They offer a higher yield and have a better ability to tolerate drought, disease and pests.

Sri Lanka's economic expansion has rebounded since the end of a 26-year conflict in May 2009, boosted by the development of roads and ports, tourism, foreign investment and consumer demand. - Arab News