Severe loss in low country tea crop a great concern: Asia Siyaka

Monday, 27 July 2020 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Asia Siyaka Commodities last week described the severe loss in low country crop as a great concern.

“Around 60% of national production comes from the low country, and it is of great concern that 77% of the loss of production totalling 23 million kg is from this sector,” Asia Siyaka said.

This year’s 1H Low Grown production figure of 75.4 million kg is the lowest since 1999, it said, adding “the severe drought during January-March caused significant loss of plants”.

Asia Siyaka said the worst hit was Galle, Matara and Kalutara, followed by Deniyaya and Ratnapura in Sabaragamuwa.It said tea production data released by the Sri Lanka Tea Board reveals that 129 million kg was produced during January-June this year, compared with 158.8 million kg the year before.

“This is a loss of 19%, totalling 29.8 million kg and the lowest in 24 years,” Asia Siyaka said. During the period 2013-2015, production ranged from 172-174 million kg, and in the subsequent four years, the six-month figure ranged from 154-158 million kg.

It said High Growns declined from 34.5 million kg during 1H 2019 to 30.8 million kg this year; a loss of 10%. The figure 30.8 million kg is the lowest since the El Niño year of 1992.

Asia Siyaka said in the past four years High Growns produced 34 million kg to 36 million kg in the first half. Three years before that recorded production ranged around 41 million kg to 43 million kg.

Sri Lanka produced 26.8 million kg in the month of June compared with 27.5 million kg last year. High Growns recorded a Y-o-Y increase of 14% with production of 7.2 million kg against 6.3 million kg in 2019.

Mediums eased marginally to 4.2 million kg from 4.5 million kg a year ago. Low Growns dropped from 16.6 million kg to 15.3 million kg this year.