Business
Bad news for tea industry as auction prices slide
by Steve A. Morrell
Brokers reported last week that the drop in tea prices was bad news for the industry, which was doing reasonably well in recent months.
Forbes and Walker said in their weekly tea market report that after ten months of buoyant prices, last week’s auction prices declined by Rs. 20 to 30 per kilo.
The depreciation of the rupee against the dollar, now at Rs. 202.04, was also partly instrumental for the price decline. The anticipated crop boost after Easter and the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays was attributed to the dip in auction prices as leaf quality is considered poor due to the pause in plucking due to the intervening holidays, brokers said.
The Forbes and Walker report further said teas from Western slopes were badly affected prices slumping by as much as Rs. 30 to 50 per kilo.
John Keells Holdings (JKH) Tea Market report said Iran, Russia and CIS countries were active in Colombo last week, with Turkey and Libya also chipping in as buyers at the Colombo auctions but in limited quantities.
Asia Siyaka (AS) weekly Tea report also confirmed that Colombo was influenced by the vicissitudes of the dollar. The currency depreciation in Turkey, Syria, and some Middle East destinations also added to price declines in Colombo. Indicated markets reduced their buying as they were unable to settle their bills because of currency fluctuations.
Market conditions were unstable with buyers adopting restraint rather than being enthusiastic over the anticipated improvement in the market, the report further said.
In addition, the decline in the US market end 2020, although the US was not considered a major buyer, influenced a telling quotient for demand for Ceylon Tea.
Ceylon Tea exports to the US from January to November 2020 worked out to 5.4 MT, which placed Sri Lanka in third position behind Argentina (34.1 MT) and India (12 MT).
Ceylon tea exports to the UK, which was our major export destination before plantations were nationalized and British interests withdrew, is now barely 1% of the British market. UK is now dominated by imports from Kenya, which exports around 62.9 MT annually (56.70%).
The auctioned quantity last week was 5.6 million kilos. Production by end March 2021 was 71. 4 million kilos. In the corresponding period last year, (2020), production was 65.3 million kilos, with a relative marginal crop increase.
Nuwara Eliya BOP/BOPF was in demand, and price appreciation was encouraging. Prices were maintained at an escalated level of Rs, 30 to Rs, 40 per kilo, according to the report.
Low grown Tippy teas were also in demand although quantities were limited. They fetched prices ranging from Rs. 2,100 to 2,300 per kilo.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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