Ministerial Delegation Led by Rishad & Navin Visits Russia to Restore Tea Export

Russia is one of the biggest importers of Sri Lankan tea. Sri Lanka’s total trade (both imports and exports) with the Russian Federation which was at $ 435.83 million in 2015 declined to $ 381.71 million in 2016. This year from January to August period, it said to be around $ 260.78 million.

Followed  by detection of a pest known as khapra beetle in a tea pack imported from Sri Lanka, Russian authorities decided to temporarily ban agricultural-imports from Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has assured that a thorough investigation will be carried out and that punitive measures will be taken against anyone found guilty of tampering with its consignment.

Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena also said he will speak to the Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to solve this issue.

Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake and Commerce and Industry Minister Risath Bathiudeen are expected to lead a special delegation to Moscow to reassure the Russian government about Sri Lanka tea import.

Rishad is optimistic that they could restore lost tea export order from Russia.