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Tea Procurement Guide

How to Source Ceylon Tea from Sri Lanka

Direct Procurement Summary

Buyers can source Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka by partnering with an export desk that coordinates with tea estate clusters and handles the auction procurement process.

A comprehensive guide on identifying, grading, and procuring premium Ceylon tea directly from high-elevation estates.

Guide Scope & Key Topics

  1. 01. Identifying Tea Grades
  2. 02. High-Grown vs Low-Grown
  3. 03. The Colombo Tea Auction Process
  4. 04. Quality Testing Protocols
  5. 05. Logistics and Consolidation

Sourcing Ceylon tea requires a deep understanding of the diverse agro-climatic zones in Sri Lanka. From the light, citrusy notes of Nuwara Eliya to the robust, full-bodied flavors of Ruhuna, each region offers a unique profile...

Imperial Enterprises' Colombo trade desk manages end-to-end quality grading, laboratory analysis (ISO 17025 / SGS / Eurofins), phytosanitary clearance, and FCL/LCL ocean freight consolidation so international buyers receive consistent, border-compliant Sri Lankan origin shipments.

Buyer Verification Checklist

  • Identify target flavor profile (FBOP, OP, Dust-1)
  • Verify Pure Ceylon Lion Logo eligibility
  • Request current batch estate samples
  • Confirm pesticide residue testing standards
  • Finalize bulk vs retail packaging split

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum volume for tea sourcing?

Typically 500kg for bulk and 1000 units for retail packs.

How are tea prices determined?

Prices are largely influenced by the Colombo Tea Auction, the world's largest weekly tea sale.

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