Unilever Sri Lanka and Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries sign MoU on sustainable tea production

The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries and Unilever Sri Lanka recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the country’s first national and globally accepted standard for sustainable tea production. 

This first-of-its-kind initiative signifies a shared commitment to propel the Sri Lankan tea industry towards a more sustainable and ethical future.  

The MoU signing ceremony was graced by Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Mahinda Amaraweera, Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Secretary B.L.A.J. Dharmakeerthi, the Chairman and representatives of Sri Lanka Tea Board, and other tea industry dignitaries. 

Unilever Sri Lanka’s ‘Ceytea’ factory is the largest supplier of black tea extract to the Global Pepsi-Lipton JV and its world-famous Iced Tea brands ‘Lipton’ and ‘Brisk’. The manufacturing site in Agarapathana has been at the centre stage of innovation and sustainability in value-added tea. 

Unilever Sri Lanka Supply Chain Director Damith Abeyratne said, “Unilever Ceytea factory in Agarapathana is the largest supplier of black tea extract to the Global Pepsi-Lipton JV. This collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries is a significant step forward in our efforts to drive sustainable sourcing of agricultural raw materials under the Unilever Climate Action Transition Plan. The initiative positively benefits ‘Ceylon Tea’ because today’s global demand is for sustainably farmed agricultural produce.”

Further commenting on this partnership, Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries Secretary B.L.A.J. Dharmakeerthi stated, “The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries is delighted to join forces with Unilever Sri Lanka in this public-private partnership. This MoU represents a crucial step towards strengthening the Ceylon Tea industry’s global competitiveness. By implementing these comprehensive measures, we aim to solidify Sri Lanka’s reputation as a global leader in ethical and sustainable tea production.” 

Sri Lanka is among the top five tea exporters globally. This standard will address three key areas: minimising environmental impact through regenerative and deforestation-free agriculture, ensuring fair and respectful treatment for all tea industry workers through ethical workplace practices, and guaranteeing the safety and quality of Sri Lankan tea through rigorous testing and monitoring procedures.