Moisture levels important at Colombo tea auction

These regulations though not imposed in the past had been under discussion for some time and this circular would only reinforce in the minds of the producers to keep up the good work.

The recently announced regulations by the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) to declare the moisture content of teas sent to the auctions is part of the authorities’ intention of sustaining the high quality of Ceylon Tea.

The Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) in a circular on Monday said that it has been decided by the CTTA that all producers are required to purchase and use moisture meters to gauge the moisture levels in their teas and the deadline was set for December 31, 2022.

“At the last meeting, the Committee decided to withhold teas from cataloguing that do not declare the moisture content, with effect from January 1, 2023. The CTTA solicits the cooperation of all stakeholders to address this issue towards maintaining the quality of Ceylon teas,” the circular said.

“The goodness of a cup of tea depends on the regulating of the level of moisture,” Sri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Niraj De Mel told the Business Times.

He explained that a high moisture content would give a soft taste not palatable and pointed out that these measures were introduced to ensure that Ceylon Tea is a “top flavoured tea and with many emerging (new teas) we need to be ahead of the pack”.

These regulations though not imposed in the past had been under discussion for some time and this circular would only reinforce in the minds of the producers to keep up the good work.

Meanwhile, Mr. De Mel said that Sri Lanka has seen a production downfall of 18 per cent upto September this year as a result of the inadequate application of fertilisers and other chemicals.

While the industry remains hopeful of next year, Mr. De Mel observed that they were keeping an eye on the possibility of achieving 310 million kg output in 2023.

He noted that the herbicide Glyphosate is expected in the first week of December and with fertiliser now available at the right price the application of which is likely to be more intensive.

Mr. De Mel also noted that now that the ban on importation of Glyphosate has been lifted even the companies can go ahead and import the product.