Thursday, April 26, 2012
- “Will Destroy The Industry” Dilmah Boss
By Dinouk Colombage
Sri Lanka’s globally recognised tea industry has been hit by a major controversy with the industry divided over a proposal by the Tea Exporters Association to import cheap tea for blending with local tea.
Merrill Fernando, former chairman of the Tea Council of Sri Lanka and founder of Dilmah Tea, strongly opposed this move claiming it would result in a loss of sales and the eventual downfall of the industry.
In a letter addressed to Fernando, the then Chairman of the Tea Council, in August 2011, Niraj de Mel, Acting Chairman of the Tea Exporters Association, outlined the proposal to import cheaper tea to Sri Lanka.
De Mel, in his letter, said that if Sri Lanka wishes to push forward with its tea industry they must place a greater emphasis on bulk rather than value. He explained that Sri Lanka’s main markets, Russia, Dubai, Iran and the Ukraine, are packing the tea themselves, and it would be better for Sri Lanka to increase the export levels of tea. Read More »
Merrill Fernando, former chairman of the Tea Council of Sri Lanka and founder of Dilmah Tea, strongly opposed this move claiming it would result in a loss of sales and the eventual downfall of the industry.
In a letter addressed to Fernando, the then Chairman of the Tea Council, in August 2011, Niraj de Mel, Acting Chairman of the Tea Exporters Association, outlined the proposal to import cheaper tea to Sri Lanka.
De Mel, in his letter, said that if Sri Lanka wishes to push forward with its tea industry they must place a greater emphasis on bulk rather than value. He explained that Sri Lanka’s main markets, Russia, Dubai, Iran and the Ukraine, are packing the tea themselves, and it would be better for Sri Lanka to increase the export levels of tea. Read More »
