Sri Lanka Tea Exports 2025–26: Trade Data Behind Sri Lanka's Largest Export Commodity

Sri Lanka's tea industry remains one of the country's most important export-oriented sectors, with Ceylon Tea continuing to command a strong position in international markets. For over 150 years, Ceylon Tea has anchored the island's foreign exchange earnings, rural employment, and global brand identity. Tea is more than a beverage for Sri Lanka; it is a national economic engine. According to the latest Sri Lanka export data and Sri Lanka Customs export data for tea, the total value of Sri Lanka tea exports reached $1.44 billion in 2025, a 3% increase from the previous year. 

Sri Lanka is the 2nd largest exporter of tea in the world, according to global trade data. The momentum, however, has been more uneven in 2026. During January–July 2026, Sri Lanka's tea exports declined to 143.51 million kg, compared with 150.85 million kg during the corresponding period of 2025. At the same time, the average FOB price increased in Sri Lankan rupee terms, showing how higher unit values partly cushioned the decline in physical shipments.

This makes Sri Lanka tea exports an important case study in how an established agricultural export can combine premium positioning, established overseas markets & value-added products while also facing climate, geopolitical & demand-related risks. For companies tracking Sri Lanka export data, tea offers particularly useful insights into commodity prices, destination markets, exporter networks, and changing international demand.

Sri Lanka Tea Exports: Key Statistics at a Glance

The latest data provides a clear picture of the scale of the tea sector in Sri Lanka.

• 2025 tea exports: 257.44 million kg

• 2024 tea exports: 245.79 million kg

• Year-on-year volume growth: 4.74%

• 2025 tea export earnings: around US$1.44 billion

• 2025 average FOB price: about US$5.85 per kg

• 2025 export earnings growth: around 6%

• January–July 2026 exports: 143.51 million kg

• January–July 2025 exports: 150.85 million kg

• January–July 2026 volume change: -4.9%

• January–July 2026 average FOB price: around US$5.70/kg

• January–July 2025 average FOB price: around US$5.86/kg

The 2025 figures demonstrate that Sri Lanka achieved both volume & revenue growth. The 2026 figures, meanwhile, indicate a more challenging trading environment, particularly because of weaker shipments to important Middle Eastern markets.

Sri Lanka Tea Production and Export Performance

Sri Lanka's tea industry is built around a distinctive combination of plantation agriculture, processing expertise, auction infrastructure, blending, packaging and international distribution. The country is particularly recognised for orthodox tea, rather than competing primarily on mass-produced commodity tea. The Tea Exporters Association of Sri Lanka describes Sri Lanka as the world's largest producer of orthodox tea and ranks it among the leading global tea exporters.

Production and exports do not necessarily move in the same direction every year. Weather conditions, estate productivity, auction prices, inventories, global demand, & the composition of exported tea all influence the final export result. The 2025 export numbers were particularly significant because exports increased despite continuing structural pressures on the plantation sector. According to the Tea Exporters Association, Sri Lanka's 2025 tea exports reached 257.44 million kg, compared with 245.79 million kg in 2024.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board also reports around US$1.50 billion in Ceylon Tea export revenue in 2025. Its industry page records 264,122 metric tonnes of Ceylon Tea exports for the year, illustrating why data users should always check the methodology and product coverage when comparing datasets.

Why Ceylon Tea Commands Global Demand

Sri Lanka's tea export industry has a major advantage: the global recognition of the Ceylon Tea identity. The Sri Lanka Tea Board's Lion Logo is a registered quality symbol. The Board states that the Lion Logo on tea packaging guarantees that the product is 100% Pure Ceylon Tea packed in Sri Lanka. This branding allows Sri Lankan exporters to compete on more than just volume. Tea from Sri Lanka is differentiated through:

• High-grown, medium-grown, and low-grown origins

• Distinct regional flavour profiles

• Orthodox manufacturing methods

• Black tea and specialty tea varieties

• Premium loose-leaf products

• Tea bags and consumer packs

• Green and speciality teas

• Private-label and customized packaging

• Strong traceability and origin positioning

This premium orientation is reflected in Sri Lanka's relatively high export unit value. In 2025, the average export price was around US$5.85 per kg, compared with US$5.84 per kg in 2024. The numbers suggest that Sri Lanka's competitive position is not simply based on shipping the largest physical quantity of tea. Product positioning and value realization remain important parts of its export model.

Sri Lanka Tea Exports by Country: Where Does Sri Lanka Export Tea?

Sri Lanka is renowned for its tea exports globally. The top destinations for Sri Lanka's tea exports include countries such as Russia, Iran, Iraq, and the UAE. Iraq and Russia are the largest destinations, as per the data on Sri Lanka tea exports to Iraq and Sri Lanka exports to Russia under HS code 0902. These countries have consistently shown a high demand for Sri Lankan tea due to its exceptional quality and unique flavor profile. The top 10 destinations for Sri Lankan tea exports, as per the Sri Lanka tea export statistics for 2025, include:

1. Iraq: $176.88 million (12.2%)

2. Russia: $117.91 million (8.1%)

3. Türkiye: $110.04 million (7.6%)

4. United Arab Emirates: $108.75 million (7.5%)

5. Libya: $78.17 million (5.4%)

6. Saudi Arabia: $65.65 million (4.5%)

7. Iran: $64.55 million (4.5%)

8. Azerbaijan: $54.94 million (3.8%)

9. Chile: $51.83 million (3.6%)

10. Syria: $50.72 million (3.5%)

Top 10 Tea Exporters in Sri Lanka: Who Drives the Market?

Sri Lanka's tea export ecosystem includes plantation companies, tea merchants, packers, branded tea companies, private-label manufacturers & global distributors. There is no single publicly available current ranking that consistently publishes the export volume of all individual companies for 2025–26. Therefore, it would be misleading to present an exact numerical ranking without a clearly defined shipment dataset. However, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board's Ceylon Tea industry directory identifies several major industry participants, including:

1. Akbar Brothers Pvt Ltd

2. Anverally & Sons Pvt Ltd

3. Empire Teas Pvt Ltd

4. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC

5. Stassen Exports Pvt Ltd

6. Shan Teas Pvt Ltd

7. Uniworld Teas

8. Jafferjee Brothers

9. Ceylon Tea Services PLC

10. Venture Tea

The leading tea suppliers in Sri Lanka, according to the Sri Lanka tea exporters database for 2025, include:

These companies represent different parts of Sri Lanka's tea export ecosystem rather than a single identical business model. The EDB identifies Empire Teas as being among the top ten exporters of Ceylon Tea & states that the company facilitates annual exports of around 10–12 million kg. For businesses searching for tea exporters in Sri Lanka, this distinction is important. A company may operate primarily as a branded consumer tea exporter, bulk tea merchant, private-label supplier, manufacturer, or integrated tea business. 

Below is a preview sample shipment data of a leading tea export company in Sri Lanka. To get sample dataset or complete tea exporter databases with customized trade reports, contact info@tradeimex.in and stay ahead of your competition. 

Sri Lanka Tea Export Data: Historical Records in the Last 10 Years

Sri Lanka Tea Export Statistics: 2025 vs 2024

The year-on-year comparison highlights the improvement achieved in 2025.

2024

• Export volume: 245.79 million kg

• Export earnings: around US$1.40 billion

• Average FOB price: around US$5.84/kg

2025

• Export volume: 257.44 million kg

• Export earnings: around US$1.44 billion

• Average FOB price: around US$5.85/kg

The additional 11.65 million kg of exports represented a 4.74% increase in volume. Export earnings also moved higher, reaching roughly US$1.44 billion. Another important development was the composition of exports. Industry reporting indicated that most tea categories recorded volume growth in 2025, while bulk tea was the exception. This is relevant because value-added tea products can generate greater revenue opportunities than simply expanding bulk shipments.

Sri Lanka Tea Industry in Q1 2026: Production & Export Trends

The first quarter of 2026 provides an early indication of the pressures facing Sri Lanka's tea industry. According to the Daily Mirror's Tea Industry Overview for January–March 2026, both tea production and export volumes declined compared with the same period in 2025. Total tea production fell by 2.55 million kg, from 62.16 million kg to around 59.61 million kg, while exports declined by 2.85 million kg, from 63.21 million kg to 60.36 million kg.

• High Grown tea: 13.48M kg, down from 13.89M kg

• Medium Grown tea: 10.16M kg, down from 11.13M kg

• Low Grown tea: 35.97M kg, down from 37.15M kg

• Low Grown share: 60.33% of national production

• Total CTC production: 6.61M kg, up from 5.38M kg

• Medium Grown CTC: 2.64M kg, up from 2.03M kg

• Colombo Tea Auction average: Rs.1,153.25/kg, down from Rs.1,179.32/kg

• USD tea auction average: US$3.72/kg, down from US$3.98/kg

Despite the lower export volume, tea export earnings in Sri Lankan rupees remained broadly stable. The destination-market picture was equally important. Iraq remained the largest importer of Ceylon Tea in Q1 2026, while Türkiye recorded a significant increase in demand. At the same time, Russia, the UAE, Libya and Iran recorded declines. This changing destination mix highlights the importance of monitoring individual markets rather than relying only on aggregate Sri Lanka tea export statistics.

Sri Lanka Tea Trade in Q1 2026: Lower Volumes, Higher FOB Value

Sri Lanka Tea Industry: Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025

What Changed in Sri Lanka Tea Exports in 2026?

The first seven months of 2026 show a different picture. Sri Lanka exported 143.51 million kg of tea from January to July 2026, down from 150.85 million kg during January–July 2025. This represents a decline of around 4.9%. The decline was not simply a story of falling prices. The average FOB value during January–July 2026 was around Rs. 1,826.16 per kg, compared with Rs. 1,748.51 in the corresponding period of 2025. In US-dollar terms, however, the average was around US$5.70/kg versus US$5.86/kg.

The difference demonstrates why currency movements, global pricing and local auction values need to be analysed together. July 2026 was particularly challenging. Sri Lanka's tea export earnings for July were reported at US$116.73 million, down 17.22% year-on-year, with lower earnings from tea packets and bulk tea. The Sri Lanka Export Development Board attributed much of the decline to weaker performance in major Middle Eastern markets.

The Middle East: A Critical Market for Sri Lankan Tea

The Middle East is one of the most important destination regions for Ceylon Tea. Data reported in May 2026 showed that nearly half of Sri Lanka's Ceylon Tea exports, worth roughly US$680 million annually, were directed toward the Middle East. The report also highlighted significant disruption in shipments to key markets during the regional conflict. The concentration creates both an opportunity and a risk.

On one hand, established Middle Eastern demand gives Sri Lankan tea exporters a large and reliable customer base. On the other hand, geopolitical disruption, shipping constraints, insurance costs & currency volatility can rapidly affect export flows. The UAE illustrates the underlying demand strength. Sri Lankan tea exports to the UAE increased from 17.73 million kg in 2024 to 18.32 million kg in 2025, a 3.3% increase. For exporters, the lesson is clear: market diversification is becoming increasingly important even when traditional destinations remain commercially significant.

Tea Export Companies in Sri Lanka and the Value-Added Opportunity

The evolution of Sri Lanka's tea exports increasingly points toward value addition. Instead of relying solely on bulk tea, exporters can participate in higher-value segments such as:

• Retail tea bags

• Premium loose-leaf tea

• Branded Ceylon Tea

• Organic tea

• Speciality blends

• Herbal infusions

• Gift packs

• Private-label tea

• Hospitality tea

• Functional and wellness-oriented beverages

The EDB notes that Anverally & Sons supplies private-label and bulk tea and provides packaging and design capabilities for international buyers. Empire Teas, meanwhile, operates across bulk, black, green, speciality & herbal tea varieties. This diversification allows tea export companies in Sri Lanka to serve buyers with different requirements rather than competing solely on commodity pricing.

Where Sri Lanka's Tea Export Opportunity Lies

The export data indicates several areas worth monitoring during 2026 and beyond.

1. Premiumization

Sri Lanka's strength in orthodox tea creates an opportunity to increase revenue per kilogram through premium products and origin-based branding.

2. Value-Added Tea

Retail packs, tea bags, specialty blends & private-label products provide opportunities to capture more value beyond bulk exports.

3. Market Diversification

The dependence on Middle Eastern demand makes alternative markets increasingly relevant. North America, Europe, Asia & selected emerging markets can provide additional demand channels.

4. Private-Label Manufacturing

International retailers and beverage companies increasingly seek suppliers capable of producing and packaging tea under their own brands. Sri Lankan exporters with blending, packaging, and certification capabilities can participate in this segment.

5. Trade Intelligence

For importers, distributors and sourcing teams, shipment-level data can reveal which products are moving, where they are going and which companies participate in the trade.

This is where detailed Sri Lanka export data becomes more valuable than headline export figures alone.

What Sri Lanka Tea Export Data Reveals to Buyers

A country-level export statistic tells only part of the story. A buyer researching the Sri Lankan tea market may also want to identify:

• Tea exporters by product

• Exporters by destination country

• Shipment frequency

• Product descriptions

• HS codes

• Port activity

• Export quantities

• Export values

• Buyer and supplier relationships

• Historical shipment trends

• New market opportunities

At the HS level, tea is primarily covered under HS Chapter 09, with tea falling under heading 0902. More granular classification can distinguish different forms and types of tea. For procurement teams, this enables a shift from broad market research toward supplier discovery and competitive intelligence.

Sri Lanka Tea Export Data and Business Intelligence

Trade data & AI-powered insights on Sri Lanka tea market under HS code 0902 can help businesses answer practical questions such as:

• Which countries are buying the most Sri Lankan tea?

• Which Sri Lankan exporters are active in a particular destination?

• Which tea products are showing increasing shipment activity?

• Which suppliers have demonstrated recurring international trade activity?

• Which markets could offer diversification opportunities?

This is where platforms such as TradeImeX can support trade research by allowing businesses to move beyond headline statistics and examine import-export records, companies, products, HS codes, shipment activity, and market trends.

For businesses evaluating tea suppliers in Sri Lanka, the combination of country-level statistics and company-level shipment intelligence can provide a more complete picture of the market.

Challenges Facing Sri Lanka Tea Exports in 2026

Despite the strength of Ceylon Tea, several challenges are shaping the 2026 outlook.

1. Geopolitical Disruption

The Middle East conflict has directly affected a critical destination region. The impact has included lower shipments, trade difficulties, and higher operating costs.

2. Weather and Climate Risk

Tea is highly sensitive to rainfall, temperature and weather patterns. Production volatility can therefore affect both auction prices and export availability. Research published in 2026 found that weather variables have measurable effects on several Sri Lankan tea market catalogues, reinforcing the importance of weather conditions in understanding tea-price movements.

3. Production Constraints

Higher labour and input costs, plantation productivity and the need for replanting remain structural considerations for the industry.

4. Market Concentration

Heavy exposure to specific markets can increase vulnerability when political or economic disruption affects those destinations.

The Outlook for Sri Lanka Tea Exports

The 2025 results established a strong base for Sri Lanka's tea industry. Export volumes rose to 257.44 million kg, and earnings reached around US$1.44 billion. But the 2026 data show that maintaining this momentum will depend on more than increasing production. The industry will need to balance:

• Export volume with unit value

• Bulk tea with value-added products

• Traditional markets with new destinations

• Plantation output with sustainability

• Premium branding with competitive pricing

• Established buyers with new customer acquisition

The first seven months of 2026 already demonstrate the challenge. Export volumes were down 4.9%, while the industry faced significant disruption in important Middle Eastern markets. Yet the continued scale of the sector, global recognition of Ceylon Tea, and established exporter ecosystem provide a strong foundation for international trade.

Key Highlights for Sri Lanka Tea Export Statistics

• Total tea exports (2025): 257.44 million kg

• Tea export earnings (2025): US$1.44 billion

• Export volume growth: 4.74% YoY

• Average FOB price: US$5.85/kg

• Top export market: Iraq 

• Second-largest market: Russia 

• Q1 2026 production: 59.61 million kg

• Q1 2026 exports: 60.36 million kg

• Low-grown tea share: 60.33%

• CTC tea production (Q1 2026): 6.61 million kg

• Jan–Jul 2026 exports: 143.51 million kg

• Jan–Jul 2026 change: -4.9% YoY

• Key trade code: HS Code 0902 – Tea

• Major growth opportunity: Value-added & branded tea exports

Conclusion and Final Takeaway

Sri Lanka tea exports remain a central component of the country's agricultural and merchandise-export identity. The 2025 Sri Lanka tea export statistics show a sector that achieved higher volume and revenue, with exports reaching 257.44 million kg and around US$1.44 billion in earnings. The 2026 numbers tell a more complex story. January–July exports fell to 143.51 million kg, while geopolitical disruption and weaker Middle Eastern demand created additional pressure.

For exporters, importers, distributors and investors, the most important takeaway is that Sri Lanka's tea opportunity is no longer just about how many kilograms the country produces. It is increasingly about which products are exported, which companies are supplying them, which markets are buying them, and how much value each shipment generates. That makes detailed trade intelligence increasingly important.

Note For Our Readers

Businesses looking to identify tea suppliers in Sri Lanka, largest tea exporters in Sri Lanka, or emerging destination markets can use shipment-level Sri Lanka tea exporters & suppliers database alongside trade statistics to identify real market movements, supplier networks and sourcing opportunities. With Ceylon Tea's established global identity and a growing emphasis on premium and value-added products, Sri Lanka's tea sector will remain an important market to watch throughout 2026 and beyond. For the latest Sri Lanka import-export data, AI-powered search on Sri Lanka tea exports, and customized trade reports for your business, contact info@tradeimex.in today.