COLOMBO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's tea exports recorded an overall improvement in 2025, with higher shipment volumes and export earnings compared with 2024, despite marginal pressure on average prices and weaker performance toward the end of the year.
Total tea exports from January to December 2025 reached 257.44 million kg, up 11.65 million kg from 2024. Export earnings rose to 453.3 billion rupees (1.46 billion U.S. dollars) from 433.50 billion rupees a year earlier.
The average free-on-board (FOB) value for the year declined slightly in local currency terms to 1,760.70 rupees per kg, compared with 1,763.61 rupees in 2024. In contrast, the average FOB value in dollar terms edged up marginally to 5.85 dollars per kg.
Export volumes increased across most product segments during the year, with gains recorded in packeted tea, tea bags, instant tea, and green tea, while bulk tea exports declined compared with 2024.
Iraq remained the largest importer of Ceylon tea in 2025, followed by Russia and Türkiye, according to industry data compiled by Forbes and Walker Research using figures from Sri Lanka Customs and Central Bank exchange rates. ■