Exporters complain over mixture of refuse tea with exports

Shirley Wijesinghe

Despite the necessary measures taken by the Sri Lanka Tea Board to prevent a mixture of refuse tea in the tea exporting trade, a well-organized clandestine process is in operation to mix refuse tea with tea exports, tea exporters complained to the Plantation Industries Ministry recently.

Exporters stressed that the Government should take stringent action against those who plan to downgrade the quality of Sri Lankan tea and protect its prestigious name.

They pointed out that this could be one of the reasons for the decline in prices for Sri Lankan tea in the world market.

Harvesting of over matured tea for tea manufacturing process is the main cause for the increase of the refuse tea percentage in the tea industry.

Over 10-12 percent from the total harvest is removed as refuse tea. Refuse tea, however, contains some level of tea quality and could be used to make black tea.

It has been observed that some refuse tea in the local market can be harmful for human consumption.