European tea growers visit Sri Lanka

An 8-member delegation comprising six tea growers from across Europe - the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium, visited Sri Lanka from 23 to 30 March 2026.

The visit marked an important step in strengthening international collaboration within the global tea sector and fostering connections between European tea growers and Sri Lanka’s well-established tea industry.

The tour was organised by Cup of Tea Travel Founder Deirdre Deprettere from the Netherlands, together with Dapper Concepts Consultancy Founder Karlijn Dapper also from the Netherlands.

The initiative was facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Netherlands, the Sri Lanka Tea Board and CATA (Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association).

In addition to visiting a range of tea plantations across the country, the delegation engaged with key industry stakeholders, including the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Colombo Tea Traders Association and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The program also included a visit to the old Colombo tea auction site (the auction is now held online), providing participants with valuable insight into Sri Lanka’s tea trade history.

The purpose of this initiative was to facilitate a study and exchange tour that brings European small scale tea producers into direct engagement with Sri Lankan artisanal. The program also aimed to foster long term collaboration between growers in Sri Lanka and Europe, creating opportunities for future partnerships in production, education, and trade. At the same time, it strengthened Sri Lanka’s international profile as a leading hub for artisanal and sustainable tea, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of specialty tea.

source: FT