Sri Lanka tea output crosses 300mn kilo mark

Dec 21, 2010 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's tea production fell in November 2010 from a year ago but crossed 300 million kilos for the year as it appeared headed for a new record annual crop, Tea Board data showed.



Tea out put in November fell almost nine percent to 26.



7 million kilos from a year ago mainly because of lower crops from the low grown sector, which accounts for over half the output, as well as from high growns.

But total national production in the 11 months to November 2010 was up 14.2 percent to 302 million kilos compared with the same 2009 period.

Brokers have said they expect total annual tea production to hit a new high of 320-325 million kilos this year, exceeding the record 318.

6 million kilos produced in 2008.