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Sri Lanka’s world-famous tea industry is facing the risk of losing foreign markets due to production losses caused by Cyclone Ditwah, raising concerns about the country’s ability to meet global demand.
Sri Lanka’s tea industry has suffered significant setbacks following the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with the Tea Traders Association warning that foreign markets could turn to alternative suppliers. Chairman of the Tea Traders Association, Lushantha De Silva, stated that the industry lost around one million kilograms of tea production, creating uncertainty about Sri Lanka’s capacity to meet international demand.
He acknowledged that the country could lose some foreign markets, as seen in the past, but emphasized that Sri Lanka still exports a large volume of tea globally. He noted that Sri Lanka was once a major exporter to countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, and the United Kingdom, but market dynamics have changed over time. Despite this, the country continues to export tea to more than 140 countries, with Russia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates remaining key markets.
Tea exports recorded 245.7 million kilograms in 2024 and increased to 257.44 million kilograms in 2025, showing gradual growth despite challenges. However, De Silva highlighted that emerging markets pose both opportunities and challenges. China, in particular, is becoming an increasingly important market, and even a small share of its massive population could significantly boost Sri Lanka’s tea exports.
He concluded that while competition is growing and market conditions are changing, Sri Lanka’s tea industry still has opportunities to expand into new markets and strengthen its global presence.
