Cyclone Damage Puts Sri Lanka’s Tea Exports at Risk

Sri Lanka’s tea industry faces significant disruption following last week’s cyclone, with exporters warning of delays, machinery losses and major transport bottlenecks. The Colombo Tea Traders Association (CTTA) said more than 30 tea-exporting companies—together earning Rs. 110 billion annually have been affected, with damaged machinery likely to take months to repair overseas. Initial reports indicate that over 6,000 hectares of estates and more than 120 rural access roads have been damaged, hindering transport of green leaf and finished tea.

The impact comes as tea export volumes for January–October 2025 have already fallen to around 205 million kg, though earnings have reached US$1.27 billion due to higher global prices. Estate owners say labour shortages and safety fears will slow production in the coming days. Industry leaders are calling on the government to provide urgent support, including concessional financing, factory rehabilitation aid and emergency infrastructure repairs.

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