Tea exports top $ 1.5 billion target in 2013

Tea exports top $ 1.5 billion target in 2013

Sri Lanka has succeeded in exceeding the target of $ 1.5 billion in tea exports in 2013. According to Sri Lanka Customs data analysed by Siyaka Research, tea exports in 2013 at 319 Mkg equalled the 2012 total. The Rupee value of exports however jumped 11% from Rs. 180 billion in 2012 to a record Rs. 199 billion in 2013. “The approximate US Dollar value of exports of these earnings is a highest ever $ 1.558 billion.
Russia/CIS continues as the prime destination for exports of Ceylon Tea with absorption of 22% of all exports down from 24% the year before. Iran 12%, Turkey 10%, Iraq 7% Syria 7% makes up the top five destinations. High Grown quality tea buyer Japan absorbed 3% and Germany 2% of all exports respectively. Imports by Libya have slumped dramatically from 5% of all exports in 2012 to 2% this year.