Exports Reach 18.32 Million Kilograms as Middle East Market Shows Strong Confidence in Sri Lankan Tea
Tea Export Highlights
- UAE imports of Sri Lankan tea increased by 3.3% in 2025.
- Exports reached 18.32 million kilograms.
- Total Sri Lankan tea exports reached 257.44 million kilograms.
- Tea export earnings exceeded US$1.46 billion.
- More than two million Sri Lankans depend on the tea industry.
Sri Lanka’s world-famous Ceylon Tea is becoming increasingly popular in the Middle East, with exports to the United Arab Emirates reaching 18.32 million kilograms in 2025. This represents a 3.3 per cent increase from 17.73 million kilograms exported in 2024. The growth highlights the strong demand for premium Sri Lankan tea and reinforces its reputation for quality and authenticity around the world.
The positive news was announced by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Arusha Cooray, during an International Tea Day celebration organised by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The event took place at the Abu Dhabi Global Market and attracted more than 75 participants, including senior UAE officials, ambassadors, tea importers, media representatives and industry leaders.
🍃 The Seven Tea Regions of Sri Lanka
- Nuwara Eliya (High Grown): The “Champagne of Ceylon Tea.” Delicate, fragrant, with a golden hue and crisp, floral notes. Grown at the highest elevation, it’s prized for its light, refined character.
- Uda Pussellawa (High Grown): Produces tea with a distinctive rosy flavour and a coppery liquor, often harvested in the cooler months for premium quality.
- Uva (High Grown): Famous for its unique, exotic, and slightly spicy, minty character. The dry, windy conditions of the Eastern slopes give it a truly unique flavour profile.
- Dimbula (High Grown): Known for its mellow, full-bodied, and well-rounded flavour. The classic “Dimbula” bright, golden cup is a favourite among connoisseurs.
- Kandy (Mid Grown): Grown in the historic heart of the tea industry, these teas are strong, bold, and full of character, often used in high-quality blends for their colour and depth.
- Sabaragamuwa (Low Grown): Famous for its rich, dark, and full-bodied flavour with a smooth, buttery finish. The colour is deep red, and the taste is robust.
- Ruhuna (Low Grown): Produces a thick, dark, and very strong tea with a bold, malty flavour. Prized for its strength and ‘body’, making it ideal for strong morning cups.
Each region’s unique elevation, climate, and soil produce a tea with a distinctly different flavour, colour and aroma.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Dr. Cooray highlighted the rich history of Ceylon Tea and its importance to Sri Lanka’s economy. She explained that Sri Lanka’s tea is grown in seven famous regions, each producing tea with its own unique flavour, aroma and character. These regions are Nuwara Eliya, Uda Pussellawa, Uva, Dimbula, Kandy, Sabaragamuwa and Ruhuna.
The event also showcased some of Sri Lanka’s leading tea brands, including Dilmah, Akbar Tea, Ahmad Tea, Eswaran Brothers and Stassen Tea. Guests were invited to participate in a special tea-tasting session conducted by certified tea master Mohamed Rikas of Ahmad Tea. Participants had the opportunity to experience the distinct flavours and characteristics of teas produced across Sri Lanka’s seven tea-growing regions.
Visitors also enjoyed product displays from the Sri Lanka Tea Board and several exporters. The chief guest, Dr. Ahmed Mukhtar, FAO Representative to the UAE, praised the diversity of Ceylon Tea, its sustainable cultivation methods and its strong position in international markets. The event concluded with a networking session featuring traditional Sri Lankan canapés, premium Ceylon Tea and tea-based mocktails, celebrating the growing friendship between Sri Lanka and the UAE.
While the UAE continues to increase its purchases of Ceylon Tea, Iraq remained Sri Lanka’s largest tea export destination in 2025, accounting for 15.31 per cent of total exports. Russia followed with 8.39 per cent, while Türkiye accounted for 8.27 per cent. The growing demand from the UAE reflects a wider trend of increasing interest in premium Sri Lankan tea across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Sri Lanka’s tea industry also enjoyed a strong year overall. Total tea exports for 2025 reached 257.44 million kilograms, an increase of 11.65 million kilograms compared with 2024. Export earnings rose to 453.3 billion rupees, equivalent to approximately US$1.46 billion.
Tea remains one of Sri Lanka’s most valuable export industries and a major source of foreign income. More than two million Sri Lankans depend directly or indirectly on tea cultivation, manufacturing, packaging, transport and exports. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has described the tea sector as a symbol of Sri Lanka’s economic resilience, noting that more than 90 per cent of tea production is exported worldwide.
Industry experts remain optimistic about the future. The Tea Exporters Association expects exports to reach around 270 million kilograms, with earnings exceeding US$1.5 billion. Looking ahead, Ambassador Dr. Cooray expressed confidence that exports to both the UAE and the wider GCC region will continue to grow as global consumers increasingly recognise the quality and heritage of Ceylon Tea.
Sri Lanka’s tea industry is also working towards ambitious government targets for 2030, including 400 million kilograms of tea exports and US$2.5 billion in export revenue. With strong international demand and growing recognition of premium Ceylon Tea, the future looks promising for one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic industries.
