Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormDry (Packaged Tea)
Industry PositionValue-Added Tea Product (Consumer Pack)
Market
Green jasmine tea in Sri Lanka is a value-added, flavored green tea product made by Sri Lankan tea brand owners and packers for domestic retail and export programs. Export-facing packed tea is regulated through the Sri Lanka Tea Board’s exporter/packer/warehouse registration and export authorization processes, including pre-shipment sample checks. Origin and quality claims such as the Ceylon Tea “Lion Logo” require Tea Board approval and are restricted to 100% Pure Ceylon Tea packed in Sri Lanka, so jasmine-flavored products must verify eligibility before using the mark. The segment competes on Ceylon-origin positioning, jasmine aroma (petals or natural flavorings), and convenient formats such as tea bags and loose-leaf packs.
Market RoleMajor tea producer and exporter; niche value-added producer/packer of jasmine-flavoured green tea
Domestic RolePremium niche tea product sold domestically by Sri Lankan tea brands (e.g., online and brand outlets)
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMisuse or incorrect application of the Ceylon Tea “Lion Logo” / 100% Pure Ceylon Tea origin claim on jasmine-flavoured green tea packs can block pack approval and trigger compliance or reputational issues, since the mark is controlled by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and positioned for 100% Pure Ceylon Tea packed in Sri Lanka with pack evaluation/approval requirements.Confirm Lion Logo eligibility for the specific jasmine green tea formulation and label claims with the Sri Lanka Tea Board; submit required pack samples for evaluation; avoid the mark if not eligible and ensure any blended-origin teas use the SLTB-prescribed narration.
Labor & Human Rights MediumBuyer due-diligence risk can escalate due to ongoing reporting and allegations of worker-rights issues in Sri Lanka’s tea sector (including allegations involving child labor and sanitation), potentially affecting acceptance by ESG-sensitive buyers and certification schemes.Implement human-rights due diligence at estate and packing levels (worker grievance channels, independent audits, corrective-action plans) and validate certification status and remediation actions with credible schemes and third-party evidence.
Food Safety MediumQuality non-conformance or contamination findings can lead to withdrawal, rejection, or denaturing actions under Sri Lanka Tea Board oversight, as SLTB processes include expert tasting panels and analytical follow-up for suspected samples.Use accredited lab testing and robust QA controls for raw tea and finished packs, maintain lot traceability, and align pre-shipment checks with SLTB expectations and destination-market contaminant/residue requirements.
Documentation Gap MediumDelays or export holds can occur if exporter/packer registrations, pack registrations, or export filings (including CUSDES via ASYCUDA) are incomplete or inconsistent with Sri Lanka Tea Board export authorization steps.Maintain an SLTB-aligned export document checklist, pre-validate registrations and pack approvals, and reconcile shipment data across SLTB and customs filings before containerization.
Sustainability- Sustainability certifications (e.g., Rainforest Alliance) are commonly referenced in tea market-access expectations, alongside increasing sustainability screening by buyers.
Labor & Social- Heightened scrutiny of Sri Lankan tea estate worker welfare and human-rights conditions (including allegations involving child labor and sanitation on certified estates) creates reputational and buyer due-diligence risk for tea supply chains.
Standards- ISO 22000 (food safety management) commonly used by Sri Lankan tea factories (example: ISO 22000:2018 claims by plantation companies)
- Rainforest Alliance (buyer-facing sustainability certification used by tea estates/brands)
FAQ
Can jasmine-flavoured green tea packed in Sri Lanka use the Ceylon Tea “Lion Logo”?The Lion Logo is owned and controlled by the Sri Lanka Tea Board and is presented as a mark for 100% Pure Ceylon Tea packed in Sri Lanka, with pack/sample evaluation and approval required. For jasmine-flavoured products, eligibility should be confirmed with the Sri Lanka Tea Board before printing the mark, because incorrect use can create compliance risk.
What are common Sri Lanka Tea Board steps to export packed tea products from Sri Lanka?Sri Lanka Tea Board guidance describes registrations for exporters/packers/warehouses and an export authorization process that involves submitting CUSDES via ASYCUDA and providing pre-shipment samples for checks/inspection. Exporters should align shipment preparation and documents to SLTB requirements before customs clearance.
If a jasmine tea product includes non-Sri Lankan origin teas, how should it be labeled for export from Sri Lanka?Sri Lanka Tea Board Export Division guidance notes that retail containers of blends involving Sri Lanka and other origin teas should carry prescribed narration such as “A blend of Ceylon and other origin teas packed in Sri Lanka” (or “Other origin teas packed in Sri Lanka”), and the containers should be registered with the Sri Lanka Tea Board.