In 2025, the global tea market reached a value of 292 billion U.S. dollars, and it is projected to see consistent revenue growth through 2030.

Sri Lanka’s tea industry earned US$ 1.43 billion in exports in 2024, reflecting a growth of over 9% from the previous year.

Sri Lanka exported 290 million kg of tea in 2019, earning USD 1.3 billion. Notably, around 35% of exports were value-added in retail packs under 3 kg, underscoring the growing shift towards higher-value branded exports.

Sri Lanka produces premium-quality tea by harvesting only the finest leaves through a highly selective process. This method results in high production costs and a reliance on skilled labor. CAFT proposes implementing automation for selective harvesting to reduce dependency on skilled workers. Additionally, maintaining the health of the tea plants is essential to ensure consistent quality and productivity of the plantation.