During the period January-May 2025, Sri Lanka exported the most green tea to Iraq - 14.47 million kg. Libya was in second place (9.42 million kg), increasing imports during this period by 334%. Exports to Russia amounted to 9.12 million kg. Sri Lanka's total tea exports in the first five months of this year increased by 5.2% to 103.28 million kg from 98.16 million kg in 2024.
Tea is Sri Lanka's largest export commodity. Previously, the island nation ranked third in the world in tea production after China and India and was one of the largest tea exporters (23% of world exports).
In 2021-2022, Sri Lanka reduced tea production due to the economic crisis and the cessation of the use of mineral fertilizers in the industry, caused by the government ban and the lack of foreign exchange for their import.
In recent years, the island nation has managed to increase tea production to an annual figure of about 1.5 billion kg. The country exports tea to 150 countries, of which 20 countries buy it in large quantities. Sri Lanka's tea industry provides employment for 135,000 workers, about 20 plantation companies, 590 tea factories and 280 tea export companies.