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Tea Exporters Association Charts Course for Resilience and Revitalization at 26th Annual General Meeting
Natasha
Sep 18 2025
31The Tea Exporters Association (TEA) hosted its 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Taj Samudra, bringing together nearly 500 stakeholders, diplomats, and industry leaders to reflect on the progress of Sri Lanka’s tea industry and chart a bold path forward under the theme “Resilience & Revitalization.”
Delivering his address, Mr. Huzefa Akbarally, Chairman of
TEA, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to strengthening the global
position of Ceylon Tea:
“In 2025, we project tea exports of 270 million kilograms and revenues
exceeding USD 1.5 billion, an increase of nearly 10 % from last year. This growth is a testament to
the resilience of our smallholder farmers, who produce 70% of Sri Lanka’s tea.
Yet, smallholder yields have declined, and urgent investment is required in
replantation and block-in-filling to secure their future. With the right
support, Ceylon Tea can achieve the government’s target of 400 million
kilograms and USD 2.5 billion in export revenue by 2030.”
Gracing the occasion as Chief Guest, Hon. K. V. Samantha
Viddyarathna, Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, stressed the
importance of collective action:
“Ceylon Tea is not only a proud brand but also a lifeline for our economy.
By 2030, our ambition is to reach record levels of production and exports. This
requires strengthening the foundation of the industry by empowering
smallholders, adopting new technologies, and building resilience. We count on
the Tea Exporters Association to help us deliver on this vision for the nation.”
As Guest of Honour, Hon. Sunil Handunneththi, Minister of
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, highlighted the role of exporters in
protecting Sri Lanka’s global reputation:
“The name ‘Ceylon Tea’ carries weight worldwide. To safeguard it, we must
move beyond bulk exports and focus on branding, packaging, and value addition.
Fertilizer supply and global competition are critical challenges, but through
partnership between government and the private sector, I am confident the
industry will achieve its highest returns yet.
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