The Global Ceylon Tea party 2017 organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka was held on 06th July at 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm at the MENA Hotel Riyadh, celebrating 150 years of proud Ceylon Tea Industry of Sri Lanka. The most important feature of this unique event is that it was celebrated on the same day at the same time in every time zone from east to west across the World.
The main purpose to organize this event worldwide is to express Sri Lanka Tea Industry’s gratitude to all those people and organizations that shared this journey with Sri Lanka and whose history is entwined with Ceylon Tea over the years.
The Riyadh event was hosted by HE the Ambassador of Sri Lanka Azmi Thassim. The Ambassador delivered a special speech mentioning the history of Ceylon Tea Industry and special features of Saudi Tea Market. This event was attended by businessmen, Government Officials, Electronic, printed and social media Journalists, Investors, Travel Writers and other distinguished invitees.
The participants had the opportunity to taste traditional Sri Lankan foods namely Kiribath, Oil Cake, Kokis, Cake and patties with Ceylon tea. Also they had rare chance to taste the seven agro-climatic regions Ceylon tea namely NuwaraEliya, UdaPussellawa, Uva, Dimbulla, Kandy, Sabaragamuwa&Ruhuna.The Embassy of Sri Lanka, Riyadh also organized a mini exhibition at the venue to educate participants about special milestones of 150 years of Ceylon Tea Industry and Ceylon Tea Products available in Saudi Arabian market with market information. Further the Embassy had arranged to display Ceylon Tea product samples with company details who are looking for prospective buyers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the moment.
The Global Ceylon Tea Party was hosted at Sri Lankan diplomatic entities in 37 countries, while partner tea companies, cafes, and homes across the globe are hosting similar parties on the 6th of July 2017. Locations in up to 50 countries with populations in excess of half the world are targeted to celebrate this unprecedented event that will set a world record for the largest and longest global tea party ever.
Sri Lanka tea industry adheres to almost all the international conventions, agreements and certifications related with the environment including the Montreal Protocol to protect the Ozone layer. It is the first and only “Ozone Friendly” certified tea in the world. Use of agro chemicals is strictly controlled and ISO has declared that Ceylon Tea is one of the cleanest in the world. On the social front, as a signatory to the FAO protocols, Sri Lanka has completely banned child labour.
Sri Lanka is the world’s largest exporter of orthodox black tea and Ceylon Tea has delighted tea drinkers in almost 150 countries.
The tea market in Saudi Arabia is considered as the most sophisticated within all Gulf countries due to the high purchasing power of the consumers who usually demand innovative products and gourmet packaging. Already, the tea bag segment of the retail market has exceeded 60% and growing further. The rapidly increasing health awareness has helped the tea consumption to grow more than 25% in Saudi Arabia during the past 05 years. Out of the 30 Million population, around 7.5 Million (a quarter) consist of Foreign Expatriates. The annual tea imports are registered at 37 Million kilos and mostly for the domestic consumption.
The Saudi society is traditionally brand loyal for most FMCG products. The major tea brands in Saudi market consist of multi origin blends. Therefore, direct exports from Sri Lanka constitute 15% to 20% share. However, re-exports from UAE which is the predominant supplier also contains another 5% to 10% of a Ceylon Tea component. So, Sri Lanka market share is around 25%. As the richest, populous and the largest tea market in the GCC, Sri Lanka extends a great importance to this destination.