UK tea importers visit Sri Lankan producers, exploring trade opportunities

From left: British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, UKTP Program Manager Jarmila Sarda, CATA Chairman Simon Bell and EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe 

– Pix by Lasantha Kumara

A delegation of experts and specialists from the UK tea industry is in Sri Lanka this week to strengthen connections with the country’s specialty tea producers and explore business opportunities.

The trade mission – organised under the UK Government-funded Trade Partnerships (UKTP) program and implemented by the International Trade Centre – will connect 12 UK tea companies with specialty tea producers and processors across Sri Lanka’s low, mid and upcountry regions, to explore the unique flavours and variations influenced by diverse climatic conditions.

Buyers will experience firsthand the artisanal tea harvesting methods and the distinctive processing techniques used to craft premium, curated teas. They will also gain insights into the environmental, ethical and social practices of each tea producer.

UKTP Program Manager Jarmila Sarda said: “This trade mission provides a valuable opportunity for United Kingdom tea buyers to directly engage with high-quality Sri Lankan tea producers. By fostering these direct connections, we aim to strengthen trade relationships and contribute to the sustainable growth of both the United Kingdom and Sri Lankan tea sectors.” 

A tea reception yesterday hosted by the British High Commission in Colombo provided a platform for UK buyers and Sri Lankan stakeholders, including the Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association (CATA), to engage, exchange ideas and expand their networks.

British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick said: “It is great to welcome a delegation of UK tea buyers here in Sri Lanka – a demonstration of our shared love for high quality, speciality tea. I hope that over the course of the week new and fruitful partnerships will be created to further strengthen the UK-Sri Lanka trade relationship.”

This event underscores the UKTP program’s commitment to enhancing trade opportunities and promoting the growth of Sri Lanka’s tea industry. The program works with developing countries to unlock their trade potential in priority sectors. This mission is part of the program’s efforts to bridge markets and build lasting partnerships that drive sustainable economic growth in the tea sector.

UKTP is implemented by the International Trade Centre and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The program aims to increase trade from developing countries to the United Kingdom and the European Union by maximising the benefits of United Kingdom and European Union Economic Partnership Agreements and the United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme. 

UKTP implements trade promotion and capacity building activities around the world at different stages of the value chain. The program works in partnership with government agencies, private sector organisations, public sector institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises and other local stakeholders.

ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.