Government support for value added Ceylon Tea

By Steve a. Morrell

Government support will be extended to the tea industry to enhance the Ceylon Tea brand. Efforts at value addition to local teas, alongside research and manufacture of tea by products will also be encouraged, Minister of Plantation Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirane said. He was addressing the 126th AGM of the Colombo Tea Traders Association recently as Chief Guest.

However, the Minister was intensely critical that some tea factory owners were involved in the dubious practice of adulteration of tea in their factories. He said the President, being personally aware of this questionable practice, warned such persons that strong deterrent action will be taken to arrest such practices that seriously affect the prestige of the Ceylon Tea brand.

‘However development of the tea trade includes all aspects of marketing. Tea in a major contributor to foreign exchange. It was also of concern that Ceylon Tea was the most outstanding tea producer in the world in terms of volume in the 1930s but had now slipped to being the 6th largest producer of the product. We must regain our top slot position in production. Replanting should be increased along with provision of technology to achieve these goals. The President, being aware of the importance of the industry to the economy of the country said support to improve Ceylon Tea in all its aspects would be forthcoming, the minister said.

State Minister, Company Estate Reforms / Tea Estate Related Crops, Tea Factory Modernization and Tea Export Promotion Kanaka Herath said modernization of the tea industry is imperative. Value addition would also be vital to the industry’s future.

Chairman CTTA, Jayantha Karunaratne, in his annual report said the tradition of conducting the Colombo Tea Auctions over the past 125 years through an outcry system in the sales rooms of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce commenced in 1894.

‘Since then the auction continued until restrictions were imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic. This necessitated the introduction of an e- auction system to ensure that there would not be any interruption to the movement and export of tea. The tea industry in all its sections from producers, brokers to shippers, was united in its endeavors to ensure there was no breakdown that could stifle normal functions in the industry, the chairman added.

‘The ‘Ceylon Tea Road Map’ initiative with the Ministry of Plantation Industries would ensure effective progress of the industry to produce 350 million tea kilos over the next 10 years, resulting in the industry earning 3 billion dollars. Also such progress would include benefits to smallholders and workers on the plantations, he said.

Chairman, Tea Board, Jayampathy Molligida said Tea prices at the Colombo auctions were stable and on the increase. He commended the CTTA for their leadership to ensure the Ceylon Tea brand would continue with its positive trends.

President, Asia Siyaka Tea Brokers Anil Cooke also spoke.