The tea export volumes fell 2.9 percent in September from a year earlier, as the shipments of bulk tea and tea packets declined, the industry data showed.
The exports totalled 23.09 million kilogrammes, down from 23.78 million kilogrammes in September 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Customs data compiled by Forbes & Walker Research.
The average free-on-board (FOB) value rose to US $ 5.85 per kilogramme, from US $ 5.76 a year earlier. In rupee terms, it increased 10.7 percent to Rs.1,928.62 per kilogramme, from Rs.1,741.45.
The bulk tea shipments fell 6.2 percent to 9.41 million kilogrammes, while the tea packet exports declined 2.1 percent to 10.35 million kilogrammes. Together, the two categories accounted for about 86 percent of September’s export volume.
The tea bag exports increased to 2.48 million kilogrammes, from 2.41 million kilogrammes. The instant tea shipments rose 31.1 percent to about 389,000 kilogrammes, while the green tea exports were little changed at about 461,000 kilogrammes.
The average rupee FOB values increased across all categories, except the instant tea. In dollar terms, the bulk tea and instant tea recorded declines, while the tea packets, tea bags and green tea secured higher values.
For the first nine months of 2026, total tea exports fell 4.5 percent to 189.41 million kilogrammes, from 198.33 million kilogrammes a year earlier.
The cumulative average FOB value declined to US $ 5.73 per kilogramme, from US $ 5.87. In rupee terms, it rose 5.4 percent to Rs.1,848.78 per kilogramme, from Rs.1,754.46.
The tea packets recorded the largest volume decline over the nine months, falling by 4.90 million kilogrammes to 84.55 million kilogrammes. The bulk tea shipments dropped by 3.78 million kilogrammes to 79.16 million kilogrammes.
The tea bag exports declined to 19.05 million kilogrammes, from 19.67 million kilogrammes, while the green tea shipments fell to 3.54 million kilogrammes, from 3.74 million kilogrammes.
The instant tea was the only category to record a cumulative volume growth, rising 22.9 percent to 3.12 million kilogrammes. The tea bags and green tea were the only categories to secure higher average dollar FOB values.
Turkey was the largest destination for Ceylon Tea during January-September, with the shipments rising 134 percent to 35.70 million kilogrammes, from 15.26 million kilogrammes a year earlier.
Iraq ranked second, although the purchases fell 39 percent to 18.43 million kilogrammes. Russia followed, with 16.91 million kilogrammes, up about one percent.
The shipments to Azerbaijan increased 34 percent to 9.03 million kilogrammes, while the exports to China fell 10 percent to 7.12 million kilogrammes. Libya recorded a 58 percent decline to 6.62 million kilogrammes.
Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Chile completed the top 10 export destinations.
Tea exports dip 2.9% in September
