SL tea industry closes 2025 with total production of 264.12 Mn kilograms

Sri Lanka’s tea industry closed 2025 on a cautiously positive note, recording a total annual production of 264.12 million kilograms, marking an increase of 1.43 million kilograms compared to 2024, according to the latest industry statistics compiled by Forbes & Walker Research

The data reflects a year of mixed performance across elevations, with cumulative gains offsetting a weaker showing in the final month of the year. Tea production for the month of December 2025 stood at 21.37 million kilograms, registering a decline of 0.44 million kilograms compared to 21.81 million kilograms produced in December 2024

While most elevations recorded lower output year-on-year for the month, high grown teas and green tea were notable exceptions, both showing marginal increases against December 2024 levels. Medium Grown teas experienced a sharper contraction in December, declining by 0.14 million kilograms, while Low Grown teas recorded a reduction of 0.32 million kilograms. In contrast, High Grown teas posted a slight increase of 0.02 million kilograms, and Green Tea production edged up by 0.01 million kilograms, highlighting uneven performance across growing regions during the month.

Despite the month-on-month decline, December 2025 output remained higher than December 2023, when production stood at 19.81 million kilograms, reflecting a year-on-two-year increase of 1.56 million kilograms. This comparison underscores a broader recovery trend in the sector, even amid short-term fluctuations.

On a January–December basis, cumulative production reached 264.12 million kilograms, up from 262.69 million kilograms recorded in 2024. All elevations registered gains compared to the corresponding period last year. High Grown teas increased by 0.68 million kilograms, while Medium Grown teas recorded a gain of 0.67 million kilograms. Low Grown teas remained largely stable, posting a marginal increase of 0.01 million kilograms, and Green Tea production rose by 0.07 million kilograms.

Compared with 2023, cumulative tea production in 2025 rose by a more substantial 8.03 million kilograms, from 256.09 million kilograms. Medium and Low Grown teas delivered the strongest gains, increasing by 5.75 million kilograms and 4.51 million kilograms, respectively. Green Tea output also expanded by 0.05 million kilograms, while High Grown teas were the only category to record a decline, falling by 2.28 million kilograms compared to 2023 levels. Industry analysts note that while weather patterns and regional production challenges affected output in certain months, the overall improvement in annual figures points to gradual stabilization in Sri Lanka’s tea sector.

Source: Daily News