Russia restricts tea supplies from Sri Lanka after finding beetle
(Photo by Rashid on Unsplash)
Russia will place temporary restrictions on imports of all agricultural products from Sri Lanka, including tea, from Dec. 18, the Russian agricultural safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said on Thursday.
The watchdog said it had taken the decision to impose restrictions after it found an insect, known as the Khapra beetle, in the packaging of one consignment of tea from Sri Lanka.
Tea from Sri Lanka accounts for 23 percent of Russia’s tea market, with other supplies come from India, Kenya, China and Vietnam, Ramaz Chanturiya, the head of the Rusteacoffee association, was quoted as saying by RIA news agency.
Members of Rusteacoffee, an association of Russian tea producers, will ask Rosselkhoznadzor to resume tea imports from Sri Lanka but with tougher controls, he added.
Russia imported 141,300 tonnes of tea worth $436 million in the first 10 months of 2017, according to customs data.
(Reuters)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Anuradhapura Prison chief further remanded until June 23, 2025 June 13, 2025
- Iran to deliver ‘Harsh Response’ to Israeli attack, security sources say June 13, 2025
- COPA calls for audit on train cancellations June 13, 2025
- Immigration Department officer arrested over illegal passports for criminals June 13, 2025
- IRGC Chief Hossein Salami killed in Israeli strike, Iran confirms June 13, 2025
