Ceylon Tea

Sri Lankan tea is known the world over as “Ceylon Tea”, after the island’s former name. James Taylor, a British Planter, acknowledged as the pioneer of the island’s tea industry, first planted tea for commercial purposes on 19 acres of land on Loolecondera estate in 1867. Today, the total land area under tea is 221,758 hectares and accounts for 25% of the country’s export earnings, making it a vital source of revenue for Sri Lanka.

Currently, Sri Lanka ranks as the 3rd largest tea producing country in the world, with a production share of 9% and is the world’s largest tea exporter, with a share of 20% of the world’s import demand. The main characteristics of Ceylon Tea are its rich, mellow flavour, golden colour and pleasant natural aroma which ensure its popularity whenever and wherever tea is consumed. Sri Lanka produces tea throughout the year and the growing areas are concentrated mainly in the central highlands and southern inland areas of the island. The tea is broadly grouped under three categories according to elevation of growth with High Growns ranging from 1,200m upwards, Mid Growns from 600 m to 1,200 m and Low Growns from sea level up to 600m.

High Grown Teas are reputed for taste and aroma. The two types of tea produced in this area, “Dimbula” and “Nuwara Eliya”, are much sought after by blenders in many tea importing countries. The “Uva” teas from the Eastern Highlands contain unique seasonal characters and provide a thick “coloury” beverage. The characteristics of Low Growns are colour, brightness and strength and are predominantly leafy grades. Sri Lanka produces mainly “Orthodox” types of teas where semi-dried green tea shoots are rolled, ruptured, twisted and crushed. This process promotes oxidisation which produces dark compounds thus resulting in the commonly known “black” tea. Sri Lanka also produces teas by the CTC process (cut, tear, curl) as well as green tea and instant tea.

Sri Lanka is the world’s leading exporter of tea. Her exports consist of tea in bulk, packets, tea bags as well as green and instant tea. Among the major producers, Sri Lanka ranks as the largest exporter of “value added” teas. The export of fully-processed teas in packets and tea bags accounts for 40% of the total export volume. Currently, over 60% of Sri Lanka’s total tea exports is absorbed by the Middle Eastern/Gulf region. Ceylon Tea is exported in a wide range of packets and sizes. Novelty packs consisting of wood, porcelain, reed and canisters are available on order. The packaging industry in Sri Lanka is highly developed and capable of meeting the standards required by sophisticated markets.

Around 90% of teas produced in Sri Lanka are marketed through the Colombo Tea Auctions. Sri Lanka’s tea industry was just 16 years old when Colombo’s first Tea Auction was held by Messers. Somerville & Company in 1883. Today, the Colombo Tea Auction enters its second century and has become the world’s largest Auction Center. The major importers of Ceylon Tea in 2000 were Russia and other CIS countries (20% of the total volume of exports), UAE (13.9%), Syria (7.4%), Turkey (7.1%), Iran (4.3%), Saudi Arabia (4%), Iraq (3.8%), Egypt (3.5%) etc. The CIS countries imported 57,622 Metric Tons of tea in 2000 (48,088 MT in 1999). Egypt imported 10,141 Metric Tons in 2000 (7,595 MT in 1999).

Please visit http://www.lanka.net/teaboard/indexbody.html for further details on Ceylon tea.

Natural Rubber

Sri Lanka is one of the leading natural rubber producing countries in the world and occupies the 8th position among the natural rubber in many types, forms ad grades. These are conventional, technically specified; latex and modified types of natural rubber in solid and liquid forms. The principal types are Ribbed Smoked Sheet (RSS); Pale Crepe; Sole Crepe, Brown Crepe; Technically Specified Rubber (TSR); Centrifuged latex and speciality rubbers. Sri Lanka is the major supplier of crepe rubber to the world.

Rubber Products

The Sri Lanka rubber products industry produces a wide range of products ranging from types to tiny bushes for consumer and industrial use. Tyres and related products manufactured in Sri Lanka are all types of pneumatic tyres, tubes, and various types of solid tyres. The industrial rubber products includes hoses and belting, automotive parts etc. The general rubber products includes, floor coverings and mats, rubber bands, sports goods, etc. Latex based products offers products such as household, medical, surgical and industrial gloves, rubber thread, balloons, toys and foam rubber product (mattresses). Footwear and footwear components are also produced. These products are exported to all parts of the world including USA, Germany, France, Japan, Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Italy etc.

Coconut

Sri Lanka is the world’s fourth largest producer of coconuts. A total average of over one million in coconut yielding on annual crop around 3000 million nuts, makes this small beautiful island a virtual coconut paradise. The coconut industry occupies a prominent place in the economy of Sri Lanka, because of its contribution to the overall development of the country and the scope and potential for its further development. Today, with its massive annual crop of coconut, the result of a well-planned and consistent policy in cultivation and maintenance of coconut plantations, Sri Lanka has also emerged to be one of the largest processors of coconut products, mainly for export.

Coconut has become a more diversified product sector and its raw materials are used in varied forms to manufacture finished products. Foremost amongst coconut products manufactured in Sri Lanka for export is Desiccated Coconut. Sri Lanka was, in fact, the birth place of desiccated coconut industry, when nearly a century ago, a Colombo based European firm established the first ever desiccated coconut factory in the world, in Sri Lanka - then known as “Ceylon”. Ever since then, “Ceylon Desiccated Coconut” as if was then known, has remained a popular and affectionate name in the confectionery trade, the world over.
             

The other major product areas of the coconut sector are shell products and fibre products, coconut cream, milk and powder, vinegar and toddy. Shell products consist of activated carbon and coconut shell charcoal. Coconut husk is used to produce many products. Coconut fibre is one area where coir yarn and twine are manufactured as primary value added products. A range of household products such as door mats, carpets, brooms & brushes and rubberized coir mattresses are also manufactured by using coir and coir twine. In addition to the above advantages coco pith is converted to form coconut briquettes which is now being widely used in the field of horticulture as a growing media while geotextiles turned out of twine are being used for controlling soil erosion.

Please visit http://www.cda.lk for further details on coconut and coconut products.

Cut Flower & Foliage Plants

The vast and varied supply of tropical flora available in Sri Lanka, gives ample opportunity for commercial exploitation. The major markets for these products are in the Western European region, Middle East and far East. Exports comprise a wide range of exotic and tropical floriculture products such as rooted and unrooted cuttings, starter material, cut foliage, cut flowers, tissue culture plants, aquatic plants and seed material. Sri Lanka enjoys around 1% of the world market share. A great potential exists for further expansion of exports.

Fruits and Vegetables

Over 80 different varieties of fruits and vegetables are available for export each unsurpassing in quality, flavour and appearance. Among these are the Sri Lankan Pineapples, sweeter and tastier than many varieties offered to the world market, fresh “Sweet Bananas”, Papayas, and seasonal fruits such as Rambuttan, Mangoesteen are specially grown for exports. An assorted range of fresh Avocado is being developed for the overseas markets. Fruits and vegetables are exported in their primary form and also as value added products through processing and canning and dehydration which are being given priority.

Engineering Products

The manufacture of engineering products in Sri Lanka has developed significantly in recent times and today the country is well equipped for producing a variety of items for consumer, industrial and agricultural use. Sri Lanka’s capitalizes in the field are amply demonstrated by the fishing vessels, commercial crafts and luxury yachts now produced in the country. The Sri Lanka Navy is a regular user of fast patrol boats manufactured locally while Sri Lankan fishing gear is marketed in Canada, Norway, UK, USA and in many European communities using modern methods of fishing. Blades and razers, metal packaging, bicycle and parts are some of the other consumer products manufactured to international specifications. The country also manufactures a wide range of products for industrial and agricultural use. These include fasteners, sprayers, tea-machinery, trailors, boilers and heaters, spring and wire forms, components and sub-assembly.

Electronic Products

Sri Lanka with its excellent geographical location, known reputation for high literacy, adaptable skills for technological industries and the availability of a large pool of labour has recognised the immense benefit it can reap by a conscientious commitment to electronics and electronic products. Today, the country is a supplier of a wide range of electronics components and products to multi national organizations. Magnetic recording heads, ferrite core transformers, coils and filters, energy saving bulbs, colour televisions, antennas and boosters are but a few of the items produced in Sri Lanka for export. The list of buyers of electronic components, attests the very high quality standards achieved by the Sri Lankan producers. Discriminating and sophisticated buyers in developed markets such as the USA, Japan and Germany are main leading importers of electronic products from Sri Lanka.

Gem & Jewellery

Sri Lanka is probably the world’s most bountiful mine of gemstone as far as quality and diversity is concerned. Today Sri Lanka is reputed to be the fastest developing gem cutting and polishing centre in the world producing stones that meet the highest international standards. The gem and jewellery industries have always been complementary. The jewellery making tradition of the country is now being promoted by a keen sense of initiative and international support. Jewellery manufacturers organized design collections to cater to new trends and market. Sri Lanka has made its mark in the international market for jewellery with exports to Japan, Germany, USA, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia and the Middle East.

Handicrafts & Gift Items

Sri Lanka is endowed with talented craftsmen who make use of local resources to turn out novelty craft items both for the tourists and export markets. A wide range of items produced from a multitude of materials, wooden toys, masks and ornaments; terra cotta and ceramic ornaments and gift items; artificial flowers; brass and silver handicrafts, have all their way to the international market. Although the majority of these industries have developed at a village level some have expanded to cater to wider and more sophisticated markets with the use of modern technology.

Footwear

Sri Lanka has made a considerable impact on the international shoe market with an extremely diverse range of shoes in a multitude of materials and finishes. Up market canvas and rubber shoes are produced for well known brand names such as ESPIRIT, BENETON, PIERRE CARDIN and PALLAADIUM. The rubber boot range consists of children boots in attractive colours and designs, yachting boots, fishing boots and boots for a variety of functional purposes including military. In leather the country produces a variety of dress shoes, boots and casual shoes for all genders. Exports are destined to some of the world’s, most discerning markets such as Italy, France, UK and the USA.

Garments

Sri Lanka’s garment export industry has established itself as the leading export industry in the country. For over a decade this industry has been the leading foreign exchange earner, replacing tea the traditional front liner. In 2000, the value of garments exports accounted for 54% of total exports. The growth of the industry is clearly seen from exports increasing from a mere US $ 30 million in 1978 to over US $ 2900 million in 2000. Presently, there are over 800 factories directly engaged in the production of apparel for export, providing employment to nearly 350,000 persons. This includes factories operating in the three export processing zones. A wide range of apparel for men, women, children, and babies in the categories of fashion wear, casual-wear, sports-wear, formal-wear, lingerie, work-wear, rain-wear, swim-wear, among others is manufactured and exported. A unique feature in employment is that no child labour is used in the production of apparel. Sri Lankan exporters are now making a concerted effort to consolidate their traditional markets and also move up-market by supplying high value added merchandise while vigorously exploring the possibilities of developing new markets.

Spices

Sri Lanka has been famous the world over for her range of spices for centuries. Spices was the magnet that drew foreigners to Sri Lanka - first the Arabs, then the Portuguese, the Dutch and finally the British who made her a colony of their far flung empire. In flavour and fragrance, Sri Lanka’s spices stand in a class of their own. Sri Lanka produces and consumes a large number of spices. However, in terms of world trade, the spices that play a major role are: Cinnamon, Pepper, Cardamoms, Cloves, Nutmeg and Mace.

Cinnamon               

True cinnamon is a commodity of much value and is derived from the inner bark of the evergreen tree Cinnamon zeylanicum which is indigenous to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon is exported from Sri Lanka in the form of quills, quillings, featherings and chips. Cinnamon quills are selected for export after grading. The standard specifications are Continental Zero, Mexican and Hamberg grades. Quillings are broken pieces of quills of differing grades which break off during the process when the quill is being made. Chips are made from thick, mature, unpeelable bark. They have a pleasing odour and a sweet, warm, mildly pungent taste.

Cardamom

Cardamom is the dried fruit of the herbatious perennial Elettaria cardamomum. The grades of cardamom exported from Sri Lanka constitute the Lanka Light Greens (LLG 1 & 2), and the lower grades Lanka Green and Lanka Non-Specified (LG & LNS). In the Middle East and West Asian markets, the largest importers of cardamoms in the world, green coloured large pods are preferred. Cardamoms are ground and mixed with ground coffee and served as “KAWA”, a favourite drink among the Arabs. In America and Europe where the cardamom is used mainly in the grinding or distilling industry, the colour is of no importance.

Cloves

The clove traded in the commercial market is the unopened flower bud of the tropical tree Syzygium aromaticum. The odour, flavour and oil content are important criteria in the food industry. Sri Lankan cloves have been found to be richer in oil than those from Madagascar and Tanzania.

Pepper

Pepper is produced from a range of commercial varieties some of which are local selections while others are imported. Sri Lanka produces mainly black pepper. This is prepared from the mature but unripe green berry.Sri Lankan pepper fetches premium prices in the international market owing to certain special characteristics. It is preferred in the extraction industry owing to its high extraction value. Packaging for export is usually in jute hessain or polypropylene bags.

Nutmeg and Mace

Nutmeg and Mace are two distinctly separate spices derived from the same plant. The nutmeg produced in Sri Lanka is of the West Indian type and is exported from Sri Lanka both in shelled and unshelled form. In terms of Sri Lanka standards there are 2 grades of nutmeg depending on the number of nuts per kg. The Broken Wormy Punky (BWP) grade of nutmeg is used in the distillation and extraction industries. Packaging for export is usually in jute hessain or polypropylene bags in the case of nutmeg and mace. Sometimes wooden cases with a suitable internal lining are used for the export of mace.

Product Quality Standards

Except in cinnamon, spices exported from Sri Lanka are subject to compulsory pre-shipment quality inspection by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. This has ensured that Sri Lanka maintains a consistent quality in all its shipments.


For further details on Sri Lanka’s export products, please contact the Commercial Division of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Cairo.

Tel: 7350047/7354966           Fax: 7367138           E mail: slembare@menanet.com