The Sri Lanka tea sector is demonstrating a rapid and resilient recovery following the disruptions caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Although certain growing regions and facilities were affected, industry leaders report that operations are stabilizing far more quickly than initially expected.
Industry leaders confirm the Sri Lanka tea sector is stabilizing despite Ditwah disruptions
The Sri Lanka tea sector is making a swift comeback after the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with industry representatives confirming that the majority of plantations, factories and supporting infrastructure have returned to near-normal operations. Despite early concerns that the cyclone would significantly disrupt one of the country’s most crucial export industries, the latest assessments show that the overall impact has been relatively minimal and largely localized. The Colombo Tea Traders’ Association, which represents a wide range of stakeholders in the industry, noted that the sector’s long experience in managing weather-related challenges contributed to its ability to stabilize quickly.
According to the industry body, some tea-growing regions in Uva and the Central Province were affected, with certain machinery and equipment sustaining damage. Heavy winds and rainfall temporarily disrupted a number of plantation access routes, slowing the transport of green leaf to factories. However, the association emphasized that these challenges were short-lived. Key internal roads that connect estates to processing centers have already been cleared or repaired, enabling harvesting and production activities to resume. Temporary access routes were also established in areas where road networks had suffered significant obstruction.
The resilience of the Sri Lanka tea sector was further demonstrated by the continuity of trading activities. Although Cyclone Ditwah required adjustments to the Colombo Tea Auction calendar, trading is set to proceed without long-term disruption. The weekly auction planned for the first week of December has been rescheduled to the final week of the month, ensuring that buyers and exporters can continue their operations with minimal inconvenience. Market analysts have noted that maintaining trading continuity is essential for export commitments and pricing stability, especially during a period of heightened global tea demand.
The private sector highlighted that many plantation zones, particularly in the southern regions, escaped the worst effects of the cyclone. These areas account for a substantial share of national tea output, and the preservation of their operations ensured that manufacturing and transportation continued largely unhindered. Smallholder farmers, who play a pivotal role in national production levels, were similarly able to sustain their activities thanks to limited structural damage in their regions.
However, the cyclone did leave its mark on certain parts of the industry’s logistical chain. The flooding of the Kelani River affected a number of exporters’ warehouses and offices, resulting in damage to tea bagging machines and other essential equipment. Initial assessments conducted by exporters indicate that while some machinery must undergo repairs or replacement, restoration efforts are already underway. Industry members have stated that they are fully prepared to meet overseas customer requirements without delays, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining Sri Lanka’s reputation for timely delivery and consistent quality.
The rapid recovery also reflects the coordinated efforts of multiple organizations within the tea supply chain. The Colombo Tea Traders’ Association, which includes representatives from the Tea Exporters’ Association, Colombo Brokers Association, Sri Lanka Tea Factory Owners’ Association, the Planters’ Association of Ceylon, and smallholder development bodies, has worked collaboratively to ensure the smooth restoration of operations. This collective approach allowed industry participants to respond promptly, share resources where necessary and support the reopening of access routes in affected districts.
Stakeholders also credit the sector’s ability to rebound quickly to established emergency-response practices developed over decades of navigating climatic variability. As monsoon rains and extreme weather events have frequently influenced cultivation cycles, estate managers and factory operators have built strong operational frameworks for risk mitigation. These include rapid debris clearance procedures, contingency plans for leaf movement, and redundancies in transportation channels. Such systems proved invaluable in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
Looking ahead, industry leaders expect harvesting and manufacturing to continue uninterrupted through the remainder of the month, barring any unforeseen weather events. With normalcy returning across plantations, the market is anticipated to stabilize as auction volumes resume their regular patterns. Exporters, meanwhile, are focusing on restoring full warehouse and packaging capacities to avoid bottlenecks in meeting international orders. Although some repairs may take several weeks, the overall supply chain is functioning at adequate levels, reflecting the sector’s resilience and operational maturity.
Despite the challenges, officials remain optimistic that the Sri Lanka tea sector will close the year without significant production losses. Early indications suggest that the minimal damage in core producing regions will allow output to remain aligned with forecasted targets. Market observers also note that the quick recovery reinforces the industry’s capacity to maintain its global competitiveness even during periods of environmental stress.
As Cyclone Ditwah’s effects continue to be evaluated, the sector is expected to leverage its collective strength and longstanding experience to navigate any remaining obstacles. The continued coordination among plantation companies, smallholders, exporters and brokers ensures that Sri Lanka’s tea industry remains positioned for stability and growth in the months ahead.