China is the birthplace of tea. This wonderful beverage is a way of life in this part of the world since it’s discovery way back in 2732 BC by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nong. Chinese people know exactly how to appreciate good teas. Ceylon Tea coming from the resplendent island nation Sri Lanka is also recognized as one of the finest tasting teas in the world. As Colombo Gazette had reported, Sri Lanka shipped a highest ever 11.8 Million Kgs of Ceylon tea to China in 2019, Asia Siyaka Commodities PLC said yesterday.

Five years ago the quantity was less than half at 5.3Mn Kg. There has been steady quantity growth year on year but in 2019 85% of tea shipped was in bulk form. China imported a total of 35mnkg in 2018 and Sri Lanka had a 29% share with shipments of 10MnKg, Asia Siyaka said. But in 2019, Sri Lanka lost the pride of being the largest tea exporter to China. India overtook Sri Lanka in 2019.

Overall, it said that major tea producer and exporter countries Sri Lanka, Kenya and India were all in trouble in the year 2019, with tea growers desperately seeking Government assistance to survive another year.

Based on available information, research suggests that in Sri Lanka, India and Kenya tea producers both farmers and companies were making losses due to declined prices. This situation has in fact been building up from end 2017 and has its roots in the El Nino drought in 2016. The tea broker notes with deep concern new predictions of an El Nino in 2020.

Volatile local and regional political problems and declined crude oil prices have impacted demand in Sri Lanka in particular, as the nation relies on North Africa and the Middle East for 52% of its exports.  Meanwhile, world tea trade has largely been stagnant over the past 5 years.

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References

1. Original Post: https://colombogazette.com/2020/01/31/sri-lanka-shipped-a-record-11-8-million-kgs-of-tea-to-china-in-2019/
2. Sri Lanka Tea Board: http://www.srilankateaboard.lk/