articles - Middle East Food (MEF)

ياشلاو ةوهقلا صاخ عوضوم
Ceylon Tea Remains
the Most Popular in MENA
Sri Lanka, though relatively small in size, is the world`s fourth largest tea producer. Its annual tea production is approximately 325 million
Kilograms, which accounts for 9% of the world’s tea production. Sri Lanka exports most of its tea, making it the world’s second largest
exporter of tea. The annual tea export volume of Sri Lanka is over 315 million Kilograms. It has a share of 18 % in the global tea exports
market.
“The
country has
exported
303,188
MT of tea
(excluding
re-export of
tea) during
January –
December
2011
period”
Sri Lanka produced teas come from small leaf to long
leaf and from light fragrant cup character to strong,
bright color cup character. Most of the tea brands
and blends in the world market have been enhanced
by a certain percentage of Ceylon Tea. The main
characteristics of Ceylon Tea are – rich, mellow flavor,
golden color and pleasant natural aroma, which
ensure its popularity whenever Ceylon Tea is drunk.
Much of the black tea produced in Sri Lanka is
formed by orthodox process. The plucking of tea
leaves is done only manually, to make sure that only
the unopened leaf bud and two leaves are plucked
and guarantee the quality and taste. Sri Lanka also
produces a small quantity of CTC (cut, tear and curl)
teas and Green tea, instant tea and organic teas.
Sri Lankan teas currently reach approximately 160
Iraq, 14.26%
Libya, 4.67%
Jordan, 4.60%
Kuwait, 5.75%
Saudi Arabia, 2.95%
Egypt, 1.50%
Lebanon, 1.33%
Turkey, 12.09%
countries. At present, Middle Eastern countries and
Gulf region absorb over 50% of local tea exports.
Since early 1990s, the Russian Federation and CIS
countries emerged as major buyers of Ceylon Tea as
well to purchase around 25% of all exports.
According to the Sri Lanka tea exports figures released
by Sri Lanka Tea Board, the country has exported
303,188 MT of tea (excluding re-export of
tea) during January – December 2011 period, registering
a growth rate of 4,671 MT or 1.56% when compared
with 298,517 MT recorded for the same period
in 2010. However, these exports to the Middle East
have failed to maintain a similar growth level and experienced
a marginal decrease of 5,090 MT or -3.11%
during the twelve months of 2011.
Sri Lanka has exported 158,601 MT of tea to major
Tunisia, 1.28% Others,
0.21%
Chart 1: Sri Lanka tea exports to Middle East region January – December 2011 (in MT)
UAE, 13.72%
Syria, 18.13%
Iran, 19.51%
4 ددع - 28 دّلمج / 2012 )ليربأ( ناسين طسولأا قرشلا تلاوكأم
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