Can Sri Lanka's bankruptcy of Ceylon be maintained?

Cover News Profile reporter Luo Shiyi

Since the beginning of this year, Sri Lanka's grain and fuels have a serious shortage, and food prices have risen sharply, and inflation has exceeded 20%. On July 6, Sri Lanka Prime Minister Victormaissinha announced that Sri Lanka had bankruptcy, and this unprecedented economic crisis will last at least until the end of 2023.

Sri Lanka is known as the "Pearl in the Indian Ocean". In addition to rich gem resources, the local Ceylon black tea is also known as "the cleanest black tea in the world" and "gifts dedicated to the world". Black tea in Ceylon Highland is known as "the world's four major black tea" with Qimen black tea, Indian Assam black tea, and Dajiling black tea in India.

As a representative export product of Sri Lanka, can Ceylon black tea be maintained in the turbulence of the political situation? Cover reporters contacted the domestic Ceylon black tea importers, related companies, dealers, and learned about the current supply of Ceylon black tea.

Since the first half of this year, suppliers have gradually suspended their business

After Zhu Jinxin came to Sri Lanka in 2017, he has been engaged in the related imports of gems, black tea and latex pillows. In 2020, Zhu Jinxin returned to China and insisted on the import and distribution of Ceylon black tea.

The black tea imported from Zhu Jinxin came from Sri Lanka's famous black tea producing place -Uva. Because of its strong aroma and mellow taste, it has become the raw tea of ​​milk tea. Since the first half of this year, Zhu Jinxin's suppliers have gradually suspended the business, "the recent contact (supplier) has not responded."

"If you are just an epidemic, you can do some (supply) sporadic (supply). Now this country is paralyzed and there is no economic activity." Because there is no stable supply source, Zhu Jinxin said that he can only sell existing domestic inventory now. If there is no raw material supply, you can only do other businesses.

Recalling the market situation of Ceylon black tea when leaving Sri Lanka, Zhu Jinxin said that until 2020, he and some of his friends were very optimistic about the development of Ceylon tea, but the situation in the past two years has not improved.

Although it was affected by various political and epidemic conditions, under the consideration of various comprehensive factors, the price of Zhu Jinxin's black tea products in China did not increase. But when it comes to the current business situation, Zhu Jinxin said, "It must be better than now, where is there any performance now."

Zhu Jinxin said that he has always paid attention to the situation of Sri Lanka and has always planned to go back. "Based on the actual situation in recent years, although (bankruptcy) is very surprised, it is in line with the actual reason."

Dealer: There is still a certain amount of inventory supply at present

As a well -known tea brand that promotes black tea to the world, Lilun uses Sri Lanka black tea as raw materials. On July 12, the cover news reporter consulted the relevant customer service staff of Lianli Wahliton Tmall flagship store. Customer service said that the taste product can still be shipped. If it is not available in the later period, the product will be adjusted.

Dealer customer service response

What is the situation of Dilmah in the local small black tea brand Dilmah? The staff of the source trade (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., one of Dilma's dealers in China, said that the current domestic stock supply is stable and there is a certain amount of basic stocking. After that, as long as the situation of Sri Lanka improves, a large amount of supply may also supply circulation. Essence

Dealer customer service response

According to reports, the Minister of Agriculture of the Sri Lanka plantation industry and exporting agriculture Patrana announced in December 2021 that it had reached an agreement with Iran to return about $ 250 million in oil debt owed to Iran. Some Sri Lanka officials once believed that "installment of tea" can effectively alleviate Sri Lanka's current foreign exchange issues, but Rosen, a spokesman for Sri Lanka's main plantation company Ceylon Tea Planters value.

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