If growth conditions remain stable, Sri Lanka’s tea production could exceed 275 million kilograms (million kilograms) in 2025, Asia Siaka Commodities said.

Despite the difficult conditions, 2024 saw an increase in tea production in the island.

Tea production reached a three-year high of 262 million (256 million kg) in 2024, up 2.4 percent from 256 million in 2023. Production gains came mainly from the medium-sized tea segment, which rose sharply by 12.5 percent year-on-year to 47.6 million kg, a healthy growth of 5 million kg.

In 2024, small-scale tea plantations increased by 2.4 percent from 155.1 million kg to 158.8 million kg.

Top growers reported heavy rainfall in the first half of the second quarter, down 5 percent from 58.6 million kg to 55.7 million kg.

The smallholder tea sector, which accounts for up to 75 percent of national tea production, achieved these production gains despite erratic weather conditions and modest fertilizer application, Asia Siaka Commodities said.