Tea production in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka(formerly called Ceylon) has a climate and varied elevation that allows for the production of bothCamellia sinensisvar. assamicaandCamellia sinensis var. sinensis,with the assamica varietal holding the majority of production.Tea productionis one of the main sources of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka, and accounts for 2% ofGDP,contributing over US$1.3 billion in 2021 to theeconomy of Sri Lanka.[1]It employs, directly or indirectly, over 1 million people, and in 1995 directly employed 215,338 on tea plantations and estates. In addition, tea planting bysmallholdersis the source of employment for thousands whilst it is also the main form of livelihood for tens of thousands of families. Sri Lanka is the world's fourth-largest producer oftea.In 1995, it was the world's leading exporter of tea (rather than producer), with 23% of the total world export, and Sri Lanka ranked second on tea export earnings in 2020[2]after China. The highest production of 340 million kg was recorded in 2013, while the production in 2014 was slightly reduced to 338 million kg.[3]India has additionally guaranteed Sri Lanka a shipment of 65,000 metric tons of urea. Sri Lanka's troubled execution of an organic agriculture initiative had pushed the country perilously close to an agricultural crisis. Given the surge in global fertilizer prices, it is improbable that Sri Lanka could procure fertilizer at prevailing market rates.[4]
The humidity, cool temperatures, and rainfall of the country's central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high-quality tea. On the other hand, tea produced in low-elevation areas such as Matara, Galle, and Ratanapura districts with high rainfall and warm temperature has a high level of astringent properties. The tea biomass production itself is higher in low-elevation areas. Such tea is popular in the Middle East. Sri Lanka produces mostly orthodox black teas but also produces CTC, white and green teas. The two types of green tea produced are the gunpowder type and sencha.[5]The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 byJames Taylor,a British planter who arrived in 1852.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Tea planting under smallholder conditions has become popular in the 1970s. Most of Sri Lanka's export market is in the Middle East and Europe but there are also plenty of bidders worldwide for its specialty high-country-grown Nuwara Eliya teas.[5]
History
[edit]The total population of Sri Lanka according to the census of 1871 was 2,584,780. The 1871 demographic distribution and population in the plantation areas are given below:[13]
District | Total population | No. of estates | Estate population | % of population on estates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kandy District | 258,432 | 625 | 81,476 | 31.53 |
Badulla District | 129,000 | 130 | 15,555 | 12.06 |
Matale District | 71,724 | 111 | 13,052 | 18.2 |
Kegalle District | 105,287 | 40 | 3,790 | 3.6 |
Sabaragamuwa | 92,277 | 37 | 3,227 | 3.5 |
Nuwara Eliya District | 36,184 | 21 | 308 | 0.85 |
Kurunegala District | 207,885 | 21 | 2,393 | 1.15 |
Matara District | 143,379 | 11 | 1,072 | 0.75 |
Growth and history of commercial production
[edit]Registered tea production by elevation
[edit]Registered tea production in hectares and total square miles by elevation category in Sri Lanka, 1959–2000:[13]
Year | High altitudehectares | Medium altitudehectares | Low altitudehectares | Totalhectares | Totalsquare miles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959 | 74,581 | 66,711 | 46,101 | 187,393 | 723.5 |
1960 | 79,586 | 69,482 | 48,113 | 197,181 | 761.3 |
1961 | 76,557 | 97,521 | 63,644 | 237,722 | 917.8 |
1962 | 76,707 | 97,857 | 64,661 | 239,225 | 923.7 |
1963 | 76,157 | 95,691 | 65,862 | 237,710 | 917.8 |
1964 | 81,538 | 92,281 | 65,759 | 239,578 | 925.0 |
1965 | 87,345 | 92,806 | 60,365 | 240,516 | 928.6 |
1966 | 87,514 | 93,305 | 60,563 | 241,382 | 932.0 |
1967 | 87,520 | 93,872 | 60,945 | 242,337 | 935.7 |
1968 | 81,144 | 99,359 | 61,292 | 241,795 | 933.6 |
1969 | 81,092 | 98,675 | 61,616 | 241,383 | 932.0 |
1970 | 77,549 | 98,624 | 65,625 | 241,798 | 933.6 |
1971 | 77,936 | 98,624 | 65,625 | 242,185 | 935.1 |
1972 | 77,639 | 98,252 | 65,968 | 241,859 | 933.8 |
1973 | 77,793 | 98,165 | 66,343 | 242,301 | 935.5 |
1974 | 77,693 | 97,875 | 66,622 | 242,190 | 935.1 |
1975 | 79,337 | 98,446 | 64,099 | 241,882 | 933.9 |
1976 | 79,877 | 94,338 | 66,363 | 240,578 | 928.9 |
1977 | 79,653 | 94,835 | 67,523 | 242,011 | 934.4 |
1978 | 79,628 | 95,591 | 68,023 | 243,242 | 939.2 |
1979 | 78,614 | 97,084 | 68,401 | 244,099 | 942.5 |
1980 | 78,786 | 96,950 | 68,969 | 244,705 | 944.8 |
1981 | 78,621 | 96,853 | 69,444 | 244,918 | 945.6 |
1982 | 77,769 | 96,644 | 67,728 | 242,141 | 934.9 |
1983 | 71,959 | 90,272 | 67,834 | 230,065 | 888.3 |
1984 | 74,157 | 90,203 | 63,514 | 227,874 | 879.8 |
1985 | 74,706 | 89,175 | 67,769 | 231,650 | 894.4 |
1986 | 73,206 | 85,216 | 64,483 | 222,905 | 860.6 |
1987 | 72,773 | 84,445 | 64,280 | 221,498 | 855.2 |
1988 | 72,901 | 84,227 | 64,555 | 221,683 | 855.9 |
1989 | 73,110 | 84,062 | 64,938 | 222,110 | 857.6 |
1990 | 73,138 | 83,223 | 65,397 | 221,758 | 856.2 |
1991 | 73,331 | 82,467 | 65,893 | 221,691 | 856.0 |
1992 | 74,141 | 85,510 | 62,185 | 221,836 | 856.5 |
1994 | 51,443 | 56,155 | 79,711 | 187,309 | 723.2 |
1995 | 51,443 | 56,155 | 79,711 | 187,309 | 723.2 |
1996 | 52,272 | 56,863 | 79,836 | 188,971 | 729.6 |
1997 | 51,444 | 58,155 | 79,711 | 189,310 | 730.9 |
1998 | 51,444 | 58,155 | 79,711 | 189,310 | 730.9 |
2000 | 52,272 | 56,863 | 79,836 | 188,971 | 729.6 |
Main destination of Sri Lankan teas
[edit]The most important foreign markets for Sri Lankan tea are the former Soviet bloc countries of theCIS,theUnited Arab Emirates,Russia,Syria,Turkey,Iran,Saudi Arabia,Iraq,UK,Egypt,LibyaandJapan.[14]
The most important foreign markets for Sri Lankan tea are as follows, in terms of millions of kilograms and millions of pounds imported. The figures were recorded in 2000:[13]
Country | Millionkilograms | Millionpounds | TotalPercent |
---|---|---|---|
CIS Countries | 57.6 | 127.0 | 20 |
UAE | 48.1 | 106.0 | 16.7 |
Russia | 46.1 | 101.6 | 16.01 |
Syria | 21.5 | 47.4 | 7.47 |
Turkey | 20.3 | 44.8 | 7.05 |
Iran | 12.5 | 27.6 | 4.34 |
Saudi Arabia | 11.4 | 25.1 | 3.96 |
Iraq | 11.1 | 24.5 | 3.85 |
UK | 10.2 | 22.5 | 3.54 |
Egypt | 10.1 | 22.3 | 3.51 |
Libya | 10.0 | 22.0 | 3.47 |
Japan | 8.3 | 18.3 | 2.88 |
Germany | 5.0 | 11.0 | 1.74 |
Others | 23.7 | 52.2 | 8.23 |
Total | 288 | 634.9 | 100 |
Revenue Statistics
[edit]Year | Total Export Revenue of Tea(in million. US$)[15] |
---|---|
2019 | $1,346 |
2020 | $1,241 |
2021 | $1,324 |
2022 | $1,258 |
Branding
[edit]The Sri Lanka Tea Board is the legal proprietor of the lion logo of Ceylon tea. The logo has been registered as a trademark in many countries. To appear the Lion logo on a tea pack, it must meet four criteria.
- The Lion Logo can only be used onconsumer packsof Ceylon tea.
- The packs must contain 100 percent of pure Ceylon tea.
- The packaging should be done only in Sri Lanka.
- The brands which employ the Lion logo should meet the quality standards set by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.[16]
The logo is considered to be a "known sign of high quality" around the world.[17]The Sri Lanka Tea board signed an agreement to sponsorSri Lanka national cricket teamandSri Lanka women's national cricket teamin their overseas tours for US$4 million for three years.[18]
Research
[edit]The Tea Research Institute
[edit]The Tea Research Ordinance was enacted by Parliament in 1925 and the Tea Research Institute (TRI) was founded. It is at present the only national body in the country that generates and disseminates new research and technology related to the processing and cultivation of tea.[19]
Beginning in the early 1970s, two researchers from theNational Institute of Dental ResearchinBethesda, Maryland,USA conducted a series of research projects in which they arranged alongitudinal studygroup of a large number ofTamiltea labourers who worked at the Dunsinane and Harrow Tea Estates, 80 kilometres (50 mi) from Kandy. This landmark study was possible because the population of tea labourers were known to have never employed any conventionaloral hygienemeasures, thereby providing some insight into the natural history ofperiodontal diseasein man.[20]
Sustainability standards and certifications
[edit]There are several organisations, both international and local, that promote and enforce sustainability standards and certifications about tea in Sri Lanka.
Among the international organisations that operate within Sri Lanka areRainforest Alliance,Fairtrade,UTZ Certified,andEthical Tea Partnership. The Small Organic Farmers’ Association (SOFA) is a local organisation dedicated to organic farming.
Gallery
[edit]-
Tea plantations in Wewalthalawa
-
Tea plantations near Haputale, Uva
-
Tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya
-
Picking tea leaves
-
Tea leaves
-
Tea harvester in Sri Lanka
See also
[edit]- Akbar Tea
- Dilmah
- George Steuart Group(Steuarts Tea, 1835 Steuarts Ceylon)
- Heladiv
- Island Tea
- Loolecondera
- Mlesna
- Thomas Lipton
- Tea production in Azerbaijan
- Tea production in Bangladesh
- Tea production in Indonesia
- Tea production in Nepal
- Tea production in Kenya
- Tea production in Uganda
- Tea production in the United States
References
[edit]- ^Nadeera, Dilshan."Lankan tea exports earned $ 1.3 Bn in 2021".Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2023.Retrieved1 February2022.
- ^"Leading tea exporting countries worldwide in 2020".Archivedfrom the original on 31 January 2023.Retrieved22 September2021.
- ^Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2014, Annual Report,http://www.cbsl.gov.lk/pics_n_docs/10_pub/_docs/efr/annual_report/AR2014/English/content.htmArchived2015-08-03 at theWayback Machine
- ^"Indian Assistance to Sri Lanka: Lifeline or Chokehold?".thediplomat.com.Archivedfrom the original on 1 June 2023.Retrieved21 September2023.
- ^abSmith, Krisi (2016).World Atlas of Tea.Great Britain: Mitchell Beazley. p. 157.ISBN978-1-78472-124-4.
- ^"TED Case Studies – Ceylon Tea".American University, Washington, DC.Archivedfrom the original on 23 February 2015.Retrieved27 November2013.
- ^"Sri Lanka tops tea sales".BBC. 1 February 2002.Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2008.Retrieved28 April2008.
- ^"Sri Lanka Tea Tour".The Tea Association of the USA. 11–17 August 2003.Archivedfrom the original on 17 April 2011.Retrieved5 April2008.
- ^"Role of Tea in Development in Sri Lanka".United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Archived fromthe originalon 6 October 2008.
- ^"South Asia Help for Sri Lanka's tea industry".BBC News.4 April 1999.Archivedfrom the original on 30 June 2009.Retrieved5 April2008.
- ^"Sri Lanka moves to protect tea industry".BBC News.19 February 2003.Archivedfrom the original on 7 April 2008.Retrieved5 April2008.
- ^"Just 64p a day for tea pickers in Sri Lanka".BBC News.20 September 2005.Archivedfrom the original on 30 June 2009.Retrieved5 April2008.
- ^abcHolsinger, Monte (2002)."Thesis on the History of Ceylon Tea".History of Ceylon Tea. Archived fromthe originalon 19 June 2009.Retrieved25 April2009.
- ^"Sri Lanka tops tea sales".BBC.1 February 2002.Archivedfrom the original on 2 May 2004.Retrieved25 April2009.
- ^"Merchandize exports reached US$ 13 Bn in 2022".Ada Derana.Archivedfrom the original on 6 March 2023.Retrieved31 January2023.
- ^"Tea from Sri Lanka"(PDF).Sri Lanka Export Development Board.Archived(PDF)from the original on 30 June 2021.Retrieved27 March2021.
- ^Johnsson, S. (23 May 2016)."The green gold from Sri Lanka"(PDF).Linnaeus University. p. 43.Archived(PDF)from the original on 1 November 2021.Retrieved27 March2021.
- ^"Ceylon Tea– The Official Overseas Sponsor of Sri Lanka Cricket ".srilankateaboard.lk.Sri Lanka Tea Board. 7 January 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 5 November 2022.Retrieved27 March2021.
- ^Who we areArchived2017-04-27 at theWayback Machine,Tea Research Institute – Sri Lanka. Retrieved April 2017
- ^Löe, H, et al.Natural history of periodontal disease in humans.J Clin Perio1986;13:431–440.
Further reading
[edit]- George Thornton Pett (1899).The Ceylon Tea-Makers' Handbook.The Times of Ceylon Steam Press, Colombo.
External links
[edit]- www
.pureceylontea .com,Official website of the Sri Lanka Tea Board - Taylor, Lipton and the Birth of Ceylon Tea