Sri Lanka confirms record tea production and earnings in 2013
2013 will go down as a memorable year for Sri Lanka's tea industry as far as output and foreign revenues go, both of which surpassed previous records. The local Plantation Industries Ministry confirmed production at just over 340 million kilograms, an increase of 11% over 2012, and export earnings of $1.54 billion. Improvements in ethical management on behalf of plantation owners were also highlighted in areas such as social, health and housing services. The average priced fetched at the auctions edged slightly higher to 414 Rupees per kilogram, from 392 Rupees in 2012.