Feb 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka Tea Production for the month of January 2020 totaled 21.9 million Kgs recording a decrease of 1.27 million Kgs compared to 23.2 million Kgs of January 2019, according to the report by the Tea Exporters Association Sri Lanka.

While High Grown production has shown a growth YOY, Medium and Low Growns have shown a decrease. The Low Grown production of 13.3 million Kgs in January 2020 is the lowest since 2011, when 13.2 million Kgs were recorded.

CTC production of 2.08 million Kgs for January 2020 gained slightly when compared to 1.80 million Kgs of January 2019. High Grown production for January 2020 has shown a significant increase YOY followed by Low Growns and Mediums.

Sri Lanka Tea Exports for the month of January 2020 totaled 22.09 million Kgs compared to the 23.67 million Kgs exported in January 2019, showing a deficit of 1.58 million Kgs.

The main categories of exports (i.e. Packeted tea, Tea Bags and Bulk tea) for January 2020, showed a decrease when compared to the corresponding month of 2019.

Total revenue of Rs. 18.09 billion for January 2020 shows a decrease of Rs. 2.15 billion compared to Rs. 20.17 billion in January 2019, resulting in the FOB value of Rs. 818.86 per kg recording a decrease of Rs. 33.28 compared to Rs. 852.14 per kg of January 2019, the report noted.

Iraq has emerged as the largest importer for January 2020 followed by Russia and Turkey. Other noteworthy importers are Iran, Azerbaijan, China and Saudi Arabia. It is also relevant that destinations such as Libya and Syria have shown a significant decrease in imports for the period under review.