Ceylon Tea promoted at USA’s largest specialty food fair

Wednesday, 17 July 2013 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Washington: Continuing the vigorous campaign to promote Ceylon Tea in the United States, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tea Board organised the Sri Lankan pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show which was held from 30 June to 2 July at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York. The Fancy Food Show has been North America’s largest specialty food and beverage exhibition since 1955. This prestigious event featu

red 180,000 products from 2400 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions. Akbar Brothers Ltd., Basilur Tea Export Ltd., HVA Foods PLC and Ceylon Tea Land Ltd. displayed an exquisite array of value added Ceylon teas. The booth of the Sri Lanka Tea Board which showcased the unique characteristics of Sri Lankan tea industry attracted many visitors. Imperial Teas, Millennium Teas and Tealia also presented their range of products at the exhibition. Plantation Industries Deputy Minister Earl Gunaskara, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya and Director General of Sri Lanka Tea Board Damitha Narangoda attended the occasion and thanked the Sri Lankan exhibitors for their valuable participation at this important event with a view of gaining a strong foothold in the US market.

The networking dinner held on 1 July was well attended with the participation of a large number US tea industry leaders, media personnel and key officials of the US Tea Council. Sri Lankan exhibitors were deeply appreciative of this important networking session jointly hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Tea Board. Ambassador Palitha Kohana, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was also associated with the other Sri Lankan dignitaries. On 2 July, the Embassy organised a breakfast seminar on ‘Ceylon Tea – Sri Lanka’s Gift to the World’ at the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. This seminar was attended by a cross section of tea connoisseurs in New York City including media personnel. Ambassador Wickramasuriya delivering the keynote address at this important seminar highlighted the unique characteristics of Pure Ceylon Tea as a beverage with numerous health benefits. “Ceylon Tea over its 145 year history has been world renowned for its excellence, exclusivity, premium quality and distinctive taste,” the Ambassador opined. Ceylon Tea has a share of 18% of the global tea export market earning over US% 1.5 billion, he said. A detailed presentation on Ceylon Tea was made by Priyanka Liyanage of the Sri Lanka Tea Board

Minister (Commercial) of the Embassy Bandula Somasiri was instrumental in organising the promotional program on Ceylon Tea during the 2013 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.