By Wasana Nadeeshani Sellahewa
(Commonwealth) _ Sri Lanka is a haven for tea connoisseurs thanks to its seven agroclimatic areas, each of which produces a distinctive type of tea. The strength and power of Sri Lanka’s tea industry has been its wide variety of orthodox teas. The island’s top tea-growing regions include Nuwara Eliya, Uva, Dimbula, Uda Pussellawa, Kandy, Ruhuna, and Sabaragamuwa, all of which have unique temperatures. This has led to a variety of the best teas that are unique to each agroclimatic region and have distinct flavors, aromas, strengths, and colors that are not found anywhere else in the world. Sri Lanka has been known for its high-quality tea for over a century. The Sri Lanka Tea Board is responsible for regulating and promoting the country’s tea industry. The Lion Logo, which is displayed on the packaging of all genuine Ceylon tea, serves as a guarantee of authenticity and quality.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lankan tea industry faced significant challenges, particularly with respect to the global supply chain disruptions. However, the industry responded by making a timely decision to move the tea auction onto an e-platform, which ensured the continued supply of Ceylon Tea to buyers worldwide. This demonstrated the industry’s resilience and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The decision to move the auction online was particularly significant because the auction is a crucial component of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. It is where tea buyers from around the world gather to bid on the tea produced by Sri Lankan tea estates. The shift to an online platform ensured that the auction could continue despite the pandemic and allowed buyers to purchase tea without physically attending the auction.
The Sri Lankan tea industry’s resilience and adaptability have been key factors in its success over the years. The industry has faced many challenges, from changing market conditions to adverse weather patterns, but it has consistently found ways to adapt and thrive. Overall, the Sri Lankan tea industry’s ability to innovate and adapt, as demonstrated by the move to an e-platform during the pandemic, highlights its commitment to quality and reliability, which are hallmarks of Ceylon tea.
To meet the difficulties of volatile political, economic, and social environments in markets throughout the world, the tea industry has been consistently reinventing itself, adapting, and evolving. The tea business in Sri Lanka has substantially invested in sustainability and international best practices. Much effort has been made to build a useful, cooperative, and future-proof framework in all areas of tea production, distribution, storage, and production. Ceylon Tea has established a reputation as a brand above commerce thanks to its wise relationships with worldwide conservation organizations and to the hundreds of individual projects being used on estates and smallholder farms throughout Sri Lanka’s tea growing areas.
The quality of Ceylon Tea is widely recognized and appreciated around the world, as it is produced using sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. Ceylon Tea has been awarded the distinction of being the cleanest tea in the world in terms of pesticide residues by the International Standards Organization. Furthermore, Sri Lanka is the first and only tea-producing country to be recognized with ‘Ozone friendly’ status by the Montreal Protocol. This is a significant achievement that demonstrates the country’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tea production.
Sri Lankan tea manufacturers and exporters have obtained various international certifications, such as ISO, HACCP, Fair trade, Ethical Tea Partnership, Rainforest Alliance, and Good Manufacturing Practices, which ensure that the tea is produced in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. These certifications also guarantee the quality of the tea and that it is safe for consumption.
The Sri Lanka Tea Board, which is the apex body for the tea industry in Sri Lanka, has made a strong commitment to reducing the industry’s carbon emissions. The board has put in place initiatives to minimize carbon emissions and is also using Carbon offsets to counteract the CO2 emissions that have not yet been eliminated. This commitment demonstrates the industry’s determination to become ‘Carbon Neutral’ in the future, which is a significant step towards reducing the industry’s impact on the environment.
The tea industry in Sri Lanka has a long history of sustainable and responsible tea production, which has helped it to sustain its leadership in the world orthodox tea market and the value-added tea export sector. This success is due to the commitment of all stakeholders in the industry, from tea farmers and manufacturers to exporters and the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
In conclusion, the quality and sustainability of Ceylon Tea are recognized globally, and the tea industry in Sri Lanka has made significant efforts to ensure that the tea is produced in a sustainable and responsible manner. The commitment of all stakeholders in the industry to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions and become carbon neutral in the future is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the tea industry in Sri Lanka.
