Sri Lanka Tea Board | Official Web Site

Welcome toSri Lanka Tea Board

Welcome to the official website of the Sri Lanka Tea Board - the apex regulatory and administrative body of the Sri Lankan Tea Industry.

The Sri Lanka Tea Board comprises representatives from both private and government bodies involved in the industry, including cultivators and manufacturers, traders, exporters and plantation employees. We act as the catalyst of growth for Ceylon Tea, the country’s principal and most popular export, by facilitating trade and business, propagation and creating awareness, encouraging research and innovation, and by supporting the creation of a forward thinking and progressive national policy framework.

Auction Sale income increased by 6% Regal

In local auction Rs 273 Billion were recorded up to end October 2024 while it was Rs 257 billion during the same period last year.

Exports Revenue increased by 2% Regal

Exports revenue recorded Rs 361 billion end October 2024 compared to Rs 355 billion during same period last year.

Tea production grew up by 0.5% Regal

Upto end October 2024 Tea Production recorded 218 Mn Kgs, While it was 216 Mn Kgs during the same period in 2023

News & highlights

The SLEMB-TPU successfully organized a Ceylon Tea Pavilion at the HOTELEX 2025 trade exhibition – China

The SLEMB-TPU successfully organized a Ceylon Tea Pavilion at the HOTELEX 2025 trade exhibition, which was held in Shanghai, China, from March 30 to April 2, 2025. The following tea exporting companies from Sri Lanka were facilitated to participate in the exhibition under the SLTB 50% trade fair subsidy scheme for year 2025. Venture Teas

The Sri Lanka Tea Board organized the Ceylon Tea Pavilion with the support of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow, Russia, at the PRODEXPO 2025 trade exhibition from 03rd to 07th February 2025. The Ceylon Tea Pavilion was occupied by the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Imperial Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Elpitiya Plantations (Pvt) Ltd, Jafferjee

The SLEMB was invited to participate at the 5th Tea House Industry Conference that was held from December 26th to 27th, 2024, at the National People’s Congress Center in Beijing-China. The Ambassador of SLEMB addressed the opening ceremony of the event, highlighting the uniqueness of Ceylon Tea. During the event, the Tea Promotion Officer participated in a

The World Food & Agricultural Expo 2024 was held from December 7th to 9th, 2024, at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian) in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. SLEMB, TPU was negotiated with the event organizer for two standard booths at free of cost to promote Ceylon Tea during the event. Accordingly, SLEMB-TPU organized the Chinese

The China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) 2024 was held from 26th to 30th November 2024 in Beijing, China. The event was organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), is a government-backed organization in China that focuses on promoting trade and investment between China and other countries. The event focusses to connect

The Asia International Hotel Supplies and Catering Expo 2024 (Macao) was held from 22-24 November 2024 in Macau, China. Macau is an autonomous region on the south coast of China, serves as a crucial entry point to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou and provides a direct link to the world’s second-largest economy, China. The SLEMB-TPU organized

We are happy to announce that two of our Ceylon teas have won Gold Awards at THE LEAFIES – International Tea Awards 2024 held on 06th November 2024 at the Dartmouth House, London, UK. The Winners are: Sinharaja Wiry Tips by Lumbini Tea Valley (Best Black Tea) Panilkanda Cinnamon Wiry Threads by Panilkanda Tea Factory (Best Blend in camellia

Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels, and Sri Lanka Tea Board together with the private sector, promoted Ceylon Tea at the HORECA Expo-2024, the largest trade fair for the Belgian food & beverage, catering sector and commercial kitchens for the last thirty years, held from 17 to 20 November 2024. HORECA is a business-to-business (B2B) event. HORECA Expo-2024 became a platform for promoting high-quality Ceylon Tea in the Belgian

The 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2024 trade exhibition was held from 05th to 10th November 2024 in Shanghai, China. The event was organized by the Export Development Board (EDB) for sector wise participation from Sri Lanka. The country pavilion was one of two pavilions organized to promote trade, investment, and tourism. The following state institutions participated in the event

The Xiamen International Tea Fair 2024 trade exhibition was held from 10th to 14th October 2023 in Fujian Province, Xiamen City-China. The SLEMB-TPU organized a pavilion for Ceylon Tea with the following tea exporting companies in Sri Lanka under the 50% SLTB annual trade fair subsidy scheme. Prestige Ceylon Teas (Pvt) Ltd Meezan & Co. Ltd Venture Tea (Pvt) Ltd

Ceylon Tea Pavilion organized at the Global Geographical Indications Products Expo 2024, Sichuan Province -China The SLEMB-TPU organized a Ceylon Tea pavilion at the Global Geographical Indications Products Expo 2024 trade exhibition from September 20-22, 2024, at the Luzhou International Exhibition Centre, Luzhou city, Sichuan Province, China. The SLEMB-TPU has secured the space of

The SLEMB organized a booth at the China International Fair for Trade in Service (CIFTIS) 2024 trade exhibition which was held from 12th to 16th September 2024 in Beijing, China. The CIFTIS is a trade exhibition that focuses on the B2C segment for food, services, technology, and innovation. It takes place annually in Beijing, China. The SLEMB

The SLEMB-TPU organized a Ceylon Tea pavilion at the 17th Cross-Strait (Quanzhou) Agricultural Products Purchasing and Ordering Expo 2024 from September 07-09, 2024, at the Fujian Success International Convention and Exhibition Center in Quanzhou city, Fujian Province, China. The SLEMB-TPU has secured the space of the event at free of cost and following representatives/agents from Ceylon

The SLEMB-TPU organized a Ceylon Tea pavilion at the SIAL Shenzhen 2024 trade exhibition which was held from 02nd to 04th September 2024 in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China. The “SIAL Shenzhen 2024” trade exhibition is one of the trade exhibitions that SLTB is organized under the 50% trade fair subsidy scheme in the SLTB’s annual trade

The SLEMB-TPU participated in the HICOOL Global Entrepreneurs Summit 2024, held from August 23-25, 2024, in Beijing. The platform was dedicated to showcasing innovative products and solutions across various business sectors. In conjunction with the summit, an expo was held, during which the SLEMB-TPU secured a complimentary promotional opportunity to showcase Ceylon Tea to the

Sri Lanka Tea Board organized a Ceylon Tea Pavilion at SIAL Paris 2024 exhibition with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Embassy in France . The exhibition is being held in “Paris Nord Villepinte” from 19th to 23rd October 2024 and 5 Private Sector Tea Companies are participating under the Ceylon Tea Pavilion .

Ceylon Tea Symbol of quality

The Logo is owned by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and globally trademarked. The Lion Logo on your pack of tea is a guarantee for 100% Pure Ceylon Tea packed in Sri Lanka. To ensure what you buy is Ceylon Tea, look for the Lion Logo.

Application & Guideline For the Use of Lion Logo: View more details on how to apply for the Lion Logo View More View More

Facts and Figures

Some important Facts and Figures for all those in the Tea industry

Tea Statistics

Tea statistics are derived at the tea auction run by Tea Brokers.

Tea Downloads

Find out Sri Lanka Tea Board Latest Downloads

Publications

Sri Lanka Tea Board Recent Publications

Current Tea Statistics

Quick Access for Monthly Tea Statistics

Sri Lanka Tea Board updates tea prices on a regular basis. The prices are for different grades, elevation and regions.

Tea Production Volume

Tea Sales Data

Tea Exports Data

Registration

Quick access to official registration forms of the SLTB

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Tea Commissioner Division

Tea Exports Division

Tea Promotion Division

Laboratory Division

Tea Tasting Division

Subsidy Scheme Tea Commissioner's Division

Our Divisions

Tea Commissioner’s Division

The Tea Commissioner’s Division of the Sri Lanka Tea Board plays a pivotal role in regulating the core functions that relate to the cultivation, manufacturing and quality development of tea.

Registrations, renewals and monitoring of tea manufacturers and factories

The Promotion Division of the Sri Lanka Tea Board is responsible for defining, promoting and protecting the image of Ceylon Tea across the world.

Undertakes a wide variety of activities including advertising, promotion and public relations

Represents Sri Lanka and Ceylon Tea at international trade fairs and other important industry events

The Tea Export Division of the Sri Lanka Tea Board provides a multitude of important functions with the power vested upon the SLTB by the Tea (Tax and Control of Exports) Act no. 16 of 1959

24/7 operations and joint investigation on Tea consignments at Sri Lanka Customs Exports Facilitation Center (EFC)

Issuing of G.M.P certification for exports to Iran

The Analytical Laboratory facilitates the testing and certification requirements of the Sri Lankan Tea industry on the quality assurance of Ceylon Tea.

Carrying out tests in accordance with accepted ISO International standards

Advising, monitoring, inspecting and guiding to achieve and maintain the highest standards of quality in Ceylon Tea.

The Tea Tasting Division is responsible for assessing the quality of Ceylon Tea prior to the auction and export.

Its panel of independent Tea Tasters undertake the evaluating, comparison and the assessment of teas imported into Sri Lanka.

Registration of the Lion Logo which is a symbol of quality.

The IT and Statistical Division acts as the single, convenient point of access to comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date information relevant to anyone involved or interested in the Tea industry in Sri Lanka.

Gathering grower, manufacturer and market information through a wide network of sources

Exchanging information with the International Tea Committee

The Administration Division is responsible for the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all Human Resources Management, Human Resources Development activities and general Administration functions of the Board.

The Finance Division is responsible for the overall financial control and management of the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Other major activities of the Finance Division is the preparation of financial policies for the Board, preparation of annual budgets, annual financial statements, monthly accounts and periodic reports, inventory maintenance and annual verification and submission of annual accounts to the Auditor General.

Purpose of the Internal Audit division is to enable the internal audit functions effectively and efficiently to allocate its Financial, Administration and Human Resources to meet the expectations of the key stakeholders such as Government of Sri Lanka, Tea Factory Owners, Tea Estate Owners, Tea Traders, tea sector workers, and Publics in Sri Lanka.

Ozone FriendlyPure Ceylon Tea

All tea grown in Sri Lanka is now one hundred percent ozone-friendly. So the next time you reach for a cup of Ceylon Tea, remember that you're also protecting an environmental resource critically important to all life on Earth.

Application For the Use of Ozone Friendly Logo: View more details on how to apply for the Logo View More

Stake Holder organizations

Stake Holder organizations an affiliated to Sri Lanka Tea Board

The Sri Lanka Tea Board Closely working with several Stake Holder Organizations to ensure the sustained development and growth of the Tea industry.

Colombo Tea Traders Association

An Association commenced in 1894 represented by sellers and buyers together with brokers and largely responsible for the conducting of the weekly tea auction a function seconded to them by the Sri Lanka Tea Board since 1975. CTTA is an affiliated member of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Planters Association of Ceylon

The oldest plantation body representing the interests of the plantation sector and today it is the main industry acting as the voice of the Regional Plantation Companies.

Colombo Brokers Association

An Association comprising of the 8 brokers licensed by the Sri Lanka Tea Board under the licensing of the Produce Brokers Act No 9 of 1979

Tea Exporters Association

An Association set up in 1999 to represent the interests of the tea exporters. It has been registered with Registrar of Companies under Companies Act No. 7 of 2007 as an association.

Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners Association

Set up in 1990 to represent a larger number of the Private Tea Factory Owners who are mainly responsible for the manufacturing of green leaf supplied by the smallholders and larger growers.

Check out some of the most important documents related to Tea

Vacancy

View and download Application for the Vacancies

View Files

HSCode List

View the full list of applicable HSCODEs

Download File

Fees & Charges

Find up-to-date information on applicable fees and charges

Download File

Tea-growing Regions of Sri Lanka

Kandy

Kandy teas tend to produce a relatively bright infusion with a coppery tone. Though lighter in the cup, they present a good deal of strength and body.

Nuwara Eliya

Probably the best-known of Sri Lanka’s tea-growing districts Nuwara Eliya’s high elevation combined with low temperature, produces teas of exquisite bouquet. The infusion in the cup is the lightest (palest) of all the types of Ceylon Tea, with a golden hue and a delicately fragrant flavour.

Uda Pussellawa

Due to the close proximity of Uda Pussellawa to Nuwara Eliya, its tea is often compared to that of its neighbour. But it is darker in the cup, with a pinkish hue, of greater strength, and exquisitely tangy.

Uva

The remote Uva district is exposed to the winds of both northeast and southwest monsoons, believed to endow the tea produced here with a special, unmistakable character and exotically aromatic flavour. The mellow, smooth taste of Uva Tea, once experienced, is easily distinguished.

Dimbula

Dimbula teas are defined as “high grown” and produces a variety of microclimates, which produce differences in flavour – sometimes jasmine mixed with cypress. All, however, share the Dimbula character: a tea that produces a fine golden-orange hue in the cup, and which is refreshingly mellow.

Sabaragamuwa

Sabaragamuwa is Sri Lanka’s biggest tea-growing region or district, the teas of which are low-grown . The liquor is dark yellow-brown with a reddish tint while the aroma has a hint of sweet caramel, not quite as strong: yet exceptionally stylish.

Ruhuna

The teas of the Ruhuna district are defined as “low-grown” and the strong full-flavoured black tea is a distinctively unique Ruhuna specialty popular especially in Middle Eastern countries.