1st Quarter - Anverally Tea

Tea Market Update
V o l u m e
8
N o
1
J a n u a r y— M a r c h
2 0 1 3
New Alliance - Expected to strengthen the world tea industry
Producer Goals & objectives
Under the able guidance of Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka Tea Board joined hands with
the Ministry of Plantation Industries to reach another milestone in the history of the tea industry
with the formation
of an International
Tea Producers' Forum (ITPF) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Ministerial and high
level state sector
officials combined
with the private sector from the world's
largest tea producing
nations came together on January
21, 2013 in Colombo, Sri Lanka to
establish an Association exclusively
dedicated for the promotion and development of
common interest of tea producing countries. The
absence of a specific global body to deliberate
matters significantly important to the world tea
industry has resulted in substantial set-backs to
This was realized by all major tea producing countries as far back as the 1990s but the dream was
never accomplished until this week. Sri Lanka the
current chair of the FAO/IGG on Tea took the initiative and was
greatly instrumental for the
formation of a
dedicated Association called
the International
Tea Producers'
Forum at a conference held at
the Cinnamon
Grand Hotel in
Colombo.
Seven of the
largest tea producing
countries, namely,
India, Kenya, Indonesia, Malawi, Rwanda, Iran and
Sri Lanka became founder members of this historic
initiative with China and FAO as observers.
Cont. in page 5 ….
Tea Production
2
Tea Marketing
3
Tea Exports
4
Economy
Tea Industry
Global Tea Scene
6
Trade Fair Participation
7
Research Update
8
The country economic growth slowed in first
quarter 2013 due to a decline in exports and
imports year-on -year basis during the period
to US$2363 from US$ 2570 million or -8.1%,
while lending rates and inflation remained
high, thereby eroding disposable income
levels and money circulation.
The policy measures adopted last year to curb
the trade deficit to a sustainable level have
continued to be effective as expenditure on
imports declined by around US dollars 857
million during the first three months of 2013 ,
in comparison to the corresponding period of
2012. Tourist arrivals in the first quarter of
2013 have recorded a growth of 10.9 % as
against last year same period. Hence, cumulative earnings from tourism recorded a growth
of 19.1 per cent over the first quarter of 2012.
Usual weather pattern followed during recent
years , has change and favorable weather condition experienced in tea growing areas resulted
better harvest in first quarter of 2013. Average
tea price at Colombo tea auction recorded a historical landmark to top Rs. 400 per kilogram
during the Month of March in all elevations.
Editor-Sampath Perera
Tea Promotion Division
E-mail
[email protected]
Web-site
www.pureceylontea.com
General Overview
Green leaf rate received by small tea holders in
low grown region increased to average Rs 60/
Kg. from Rs.50 per kilogram during last year
same period.
Although high grown teas commanded healthy
price levels during last six months they struggled with highest labor cost incurred per production of one kilogram of tea.
Continued in page …………….5
Tea market update Volume 8. No. 1
P AG E
+
2
Tea Production
Ceylon Tea manufacturers have established a new
record crop for the first quarter in 2013 attributed to
fair weather conditions. In fact, production
increased 11 percent from last year's same period
record level. The usual dry period beginning of the
year did not persist which resulted unexpected crop
in western highlands and valleys in low grown
regions. Comparison of the first three months and
highlights of the past crop records are shown in
table 1.
2013 - Jan to Mar
Sector
Table 1 - Total and monthly tea Production
January-March 2009-2013 (Units :MT)
2010
production registered by the private sector at 48Mkgs
represented 59% from the total tea production. While
Plantation companies and public sector accounted 41%
or 33Mkgs for the quarter. A majority of Public sector
tea factories are located in medium grown and recorded
poor crop due to aging bushes and poor agricultural
practices, though the area experienced same weather
conditions during the period.
Table 3 – Distribution of Tea Production
January-March 2013/2012 (Units:MKg)
2013
2012
2011
2009
January
23894
23191
21,141
26796
17810
February
24968
22,670
22,125
24858
12764
March
32197
28,072
35,134
21458
18412
Total
81059
74,933
78,400
73,112
48,986
Production
(MKg.)
Private
47.82 59.04
44.12
58.9
8.4
Plantation Co.
30.52 37.68
27.81
37.1
9.8
Public
2.66
Total
This significant rise in monthly crop is attributed
mainly to the massive output during March. The
crop averaging at around 27 million kilograms per
month, was up five million kilograms in March.
During the months of January and February marginal increases of crop contributed to a record cumulative production level for the period.
Category
Jan-Mar (MKg.)
2013
2012
MATALE
KEGALLE
High
19.33
17.29
2.04
11.8
Medium
Low
Total
12.78
48.89
81.01
12.23
45.41
74.93
0.55
3.48
6.08
4.5
7.7
8.1
KALUTARA
KANDY
BADULLA
MATARA
GALLE
Processing Method
Orthodox
CTC
Green Tea
74.43
5.80
0.77
69.31
4.86
0.76
5.12
0.94
0.02
Total
81.01
74.93
6.08
RATNAPURA
7.4
NUWARA ELIYA
19.4
2.2 Total
HIGH
MEDIUM
74.93 100.0
LOW
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.20
3.37
0.00
0.00
0.25
15.51
0.00
0.00
0.42
0.16
0.00
5.26
2.90
0.04
0.00
0.59
3.42
0.06
0.06
0.11
2.42
4.08
2.62
0.00
10.42
12.62
16.31
0.19
19.33
12.78
48.89
8.1 The Nuwara Eliya region
Orthodox category boosted its first quarter tea production by a whopping 7.4% to 74.43MKgs, and CTC tea
and Green tea production registered same pattern in this
quarter compared to last year same period. The tea
4.0 (11.3)
8.1
January-March 2013 (Million Kg.)
HAMBANTOTA
Elevation
3.00
Temperatures were unusually mild and rainfall spread
throughout the areas in Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Galle
and Matara and most other tea growing areas through
out the quarter. Hence, relatively satisfactory yield were
reported in all sub districts.
Table 4.- District wise tea production comparison
as at December 2013 (MKg)
COLOMBO
Change
Qty (MKg.)
%
3.28
81.01 100.00
ADMIN. DISTRICT
Table 2 - Cumulative tea production according
to elevation and category till March (Units :Mkg)
%
2012 - Jan to
Mar
%
ProducChange
%
tion (MKg.)
registered the highest crop with the
highest acreage in tea compared
to the other tea growing districts.
It is depicted in table 4. above.
PUBLICATION OF TEA PROMOTION DIVISION—SRI LANKA TEA BOARD
TOTAL
0.06
0.06
0.53
2.58
4.08
8.09
6.27
10.46
12.62
17.15
19.11
81.01
Tea market update Volume 8 . No. 1
P AG E
Tea Marketing
A buoyant market that prevailed during last quarter
in 2012 for all elevations teas continued during first
quarter in 2013 as well. Overall average prices were
strong in this period compared to last year’s level
due to fair demand. The average price of tea during
the first quarter was US$ 3.38 and was well above
the last year level and global average price of US$
2.90 for the period under review. It is depicted in
table 5.
Table 5 –Teas Sold and prices fetched in first
quarter 2013/2012 Unit:Qty-Mkg,Rs/Kg
2013 - Jan to Mar
Elevation
2012 - Jan to Mar
3
today may be above US$ 3.25 to be above water.
Perhaps, first quarter prices behaved favorably and
expects to remain so far rest of the year for industry’s sustainability.
Table 7: Teas sold and prices fetched by
distribution channels (Qty:Mkg, Price Rs./Kg)
First Quarter
Different
2013
Channel
Qty (MKg.)
Public Auction
Private Sales
Direct Sales
2012
Price (Rs./
Kg.)
Qty
Price (Rs./
(MKg.)
Kg.)
85.47
0.88
0.35
427.59 81.74
445.96 0.92
476.96 0.43
355.77
383.34
462.74
86.69
427.97 83.08
356.62
Qty
(MKg)
Price (SL
Rs)
Price
(US$)
Qty Price (SL Price
(MKg)
Rs)
(US$)
18.82
422.07
3.33
17.79 340.01 2.86 Over 98 % or 85 Million kilograms of teas were
Medium 13.20
388.38
3.06
13.50 317.89 2.67 auction whilst 2% or 1.2 million kilograms were
Low
439.57
3.47
51.79 372.42 3.13 The season/ quarter produced BOPF,FBOPF1,
High
Total
sold
during the first quarter was through public
sold through private and direct sales.
54.67
FBOPF,OP,OP1, BOP1,FBOP, FP and PEKOE
grades. The prices fetched for these grades above
US$ 3.35 per kilogram and represented 44% or 38.5
The Colombo Tea Auction were held on 13 occa- Mkgs. CTC grades of PF1 and PD fetched the
sions during the period and sale prices were always same price pattern whilst other CTC grades realized
above those of last year’s and the price difference below the Rs.400 per kilogram level due to abunexceeded Rs. 80.00 per kilogram in some sales.
dance in global tea market.
Green tea
disposal at the Colombo auction
Table 6 – Weekly Colombo Tea Auction sales
remained unchanged compared to last year same
comparison during the quarter (Rs/Kg)
Total
Month
January
February
March
86.69
427.97
Auc. Num
3.38
83.08 356.62 3.00
High
Medium
Low
Average
1
2
3
4
5
2013
430.29
436.90
441.52
436.05
417.47
2012
326.29
332.06
327.71
334.45
333.55
2013
383.81
378.07
384.85
381.91
378.39
2012
300.79
306.12
298.24
301.86
302.74
2013
421.49
427.57
430.42
432.81
437.14
2012
367.35
367.78
365.58
361.77
362.47
2013
417.77
421.98
426.31
425.87
424.62
2012
347.44
350.62
347.14
347.33
347.73
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
413.48
409.45
409.96
404.97
414.00
415.69
410.91
402.12
330.01
334.78
330.41
332.79
330.19
342.71
348.75
356.25
371.14
376.60
386.87
392.69
400.59
403.25
409.31
409.89
297.76
310.01
315.94
320.87
322.07
324.72
339.89
346.49
418.57
428.61
441.42
451.19
447.22
456.84
464.57
472.72
352.04
364.44
365.15
369.79
367.76
375.91
395.90
424.13
410.82
417.64
427.52
434.06
433.92
440.34
444.29
447.48
338.94
351.41
350.45
354.29
353.08
360.15
375.55
396.92
The country tea cultivation faced new challenges
with recent wage hikes agreed with trade unions.
The last year COP for one kilogram of made tea was
US$ 3.06 and manufactures stood on the edge for
survival. Attributed to recent increase in fuel, wood,
electricity and other expenses, the average price
quarter and average prices for
Gun powder and other Fanning
grades followed unsatisfactory
price levels except Green Tea
Dust1 grade.
PUBLICATION OF TEA PROMOTION DIVISION— SRI LANKA TEA BOARD
Difference
70.33
71.36
79.17
78.54
76.89
71.88
66.22
77.07
79.76
80.84
80.19
68.74
50.56
Tea market update Volume 8. No. 1
P AG E
4
Tea Exports
P AG E
4
Earnings from tea exports declined to US$ 333.6 million
from US$ 335.7 as a result of lower volume exported
during the period compared to last year same period. The
monthly exports were always below the last year level registering a 6.5% decline cumulatively.
Table 10 -Top ten destinations of Pure Ceylon
tea from Jan– March 2013/2012 Units:Qty - MKg
Change
Country
2012
2011
2010
%
2013 2012
11.40
11.12
IRAN
9.24
10.08
(0.84) (8.38) 13.39 14.04
(1.22) (17.90) 8.10 9.48
RUSSIA
2009
Exports %
2012
Qty
Table 8 - Export Statistics for each month during
first quarter 2009/2013Units : Million Kilograms
2013
2013
2.56 16.52 15.48
0.28
January
22.07
23.19
27.26
21.04
18.40
SYRIA
5.59
6.81
February
21.82
23.68
25.34
25.12
21.40
TURKEY
5.48
4.26
March
27.18
29.02
27.03
24.05
30.12
IRAQ
4.03
5.30
Total
70.97
75.89
79.63
70.21
69.93
UAE
4.00
2.43
1.57
KUWAIT
2.86
1.17
1.69 144.79 4.14 1.63
AZERBAIJAN
2.30
2.66
(0.36) (13.42) 3.34 3.70
UKRAINE
2.16
1.93
JAPAN
1.99
2.46
(0.47) (19.05) 2.88 3.42
69.01
71.81
(2.80) (3.90) 100.0 100.0
Ceylon tea exported shows a 3.9% marginal drop and with
re-exports it was 6.5% in first quarter in comparison to last
year. The major contribution to this decline is the exports
of tea packets which had dropped by 6.2% and re-exports
declined by 52%. Also Tea Bags and instant tea recorded a
substantial decrease in exports, whilst, Green tea exports
registered a marginal increase in shipments against last
year same period.
Average FOB price of all categories in first quarter
increased by 13% or US$ 0.5 per kilogram which attributed to increase of prices in tea packets and tea bags
Table 9 – Tea Exports comparison during first quarter
Units: Qty-MT, FOB—Rs/Kg, Value– Rs. Millions
2013
Total Exports

1.22
28.54 7.94 5.94
(1.27) (23.89) 5.84 7.38
0.24
64.57 5.79 3.38
12.20 3.13 2.68
except re-export volume
Iran and Syria hold the second and third positions
consecutively with a significant decrease of Ceylon
tea imports when compared to last year. Turkey,
UAE and Kuwait registered a significant increase of
2012
Change
% Change
Category
Qty
Bulk*
Packets*
29,763
33,326
FOB
Value (
Qty
531.48 15,818 29,941
539.77 17,988 35,547
FOB
Value
15.7
5.1
98.94
126
(6.9)
9.9
2.4
5,319
Instant Tea
325 1,035.57
336
464
775.69
360
Green Tea
628 1,167.56
734
524 1,087.50
569
Total
RTD**
70,973
187
1,967
4,078
(367)
(139) 259.88
33.5 (6.6)
80.06
164
20.0
7.4
28.8
515.76 37,039 (2,801)
68.51
3,283
(3.9)
13.3
8.9
741.93
3,026 (2,118) 261.61 (1,059) (51.9)
527.92 40,064 (4,919)
276.57
351.93
163
(24) (30.0)
105
595.85 42,289 75,892
52
Value
16.4
12.1
996.53
1,960 1,003.54
FOB
(0.6)
(6.2)
5,338
Re-Exports
Qty
2,143
873
5,446
584.27 40,322 71,814
Value
74.73
58.31
4,971 1,095.47
69,013
FOB
456.75 13,676
(178)
481.46 17,115 (2,222)
Tea Bags*
Sub Total
Qty
* Black Tea ** RTD Tea in Litres
It is depicted in table 9 above.
The first quarter 2013, Russia has consolidated its position
as the largest importer of Ceylon Tea with an increase by
2.56% or 0.3 Million kilograms as against last year same
quarter.
57
67.93
2,224
24 (75.36)
(5)
(6.5)
35.3 (35.0)
12.9
5.6
15.0 (21.4) (9.6)
Ceylon tea exports among the top ten destinations
list attributed to border trading
accelerated with sanctions imposed by USA and EU on Syria
and Iran. It is depicted in table
10. above.
PUBLICATION OF TEA PROMOTION DIVISION— SRI LANKA TEA BOARD
Tea market update Volume 8. No. 1
General Overview………..………….from page 1.
Weather
Fair weather remained throughout the period in all tea
growing area except Uva region that experienced dry
weather.
Quality
Dimbula quality season not materialized fully due to scattered showers experienced in the region during the period.
New Alliance ……………..………….from page 1.
The Constitution of the ITPF was ratified by the Ministerial representations from these major tea producing countries who constitute more than 80% of the tea production in the world. A joint
communiqué was signed by the delegates from these countries
and Sri Lanka was selected as the Secretariat for the first ever
International Tea Producers' Forum. It was also decided for the
producer member nations to re-convene in Colombo by the end
of the year to establish a General Council and an Executive Committee as per the Constitution. The General Council will be
called upon to elect a Chairperson and two Vice Chairpersons
and shall hold annual sessions to take forward the initiatives
which will be proposed by the ITPF.
P AG E
5
With a vision to position tea as the most acceptable, natural
and healthy beverage globally and a mission to position this
noble drink as the most preferred beverage universally by
stimulating its consumption and facilitating generic promotional campaigns to raise the awareness of a healthy lifestyle, the members of the ITPF is optimistic that all stakeholders of the global tea fraternity will benefit in the future.
Further, it is strongly believed that more tea producing
countries will come on board and join the ITPF soon. The
momentum has already begun with Iran being one of the
observer nations at the historic Ministerial meeting in Colombo receiving the endorsement of their Governments to
formally join the ITPF and keen interest shown by China
the world largest producer of tea. Vietnam and Argentina
are two other major tea producing nations which have indicated their favorable consideration to the establishment of
the ITPF. Several other countries such as Bangladesh, Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda who could not participate at
the historical Colombo summit have already signed the
MOU to become members of the new association.
The climate change phenomena, the escalation of cost of
production , the low yields and the issues in implementing
Good Agricultural Practices were identified as some of the
challenges beside higher food safety standards, increased
transportation cost and tariff as well as non tariff barriers.
These common issues would be addressed by the ITPF in
the future with greater efforts directed at expanding demand.
PUBLICATION OF TEA PROMOTION DIVISION— SRI LANKA TEA BOARD
Tea market update Volume 8. No. 1
P AG E
P AG E
6
6
Global Tea Scene
Tea Production
In general tea production in most countries increased
steadily towards end of the first quarter attributed to
favorable weather conditions. Specially African black
tea production registered its highest ever production per
quarter with fifty million kilograms of tea more than
they produced in last year same period.
Table 11 -Global tea production comparison in
first quarter 2013/2012(MT.)
PRODUCTION
Month
2013
2012
Change
N E INDIA
3
32700
37520
-4820
SOUTH INDIA
3
46540
44774
1766
BANGLADESH
3
692
731
SRI LANKA
3
81059
KENYA
3
MALAWI
Kenya maintained its first place as world’s largest tea
exporter with slight increases as against last year same
period During this quarter, Kenya increased their tea
exports to Russia(23%), Kazakhstan (21% ), UAE
(11%), Iran(21%), and Pakistan by 6%. While European
countries tea imports from Kenya registered marginal
drops except Netherlands during the period attributing
to recession crippled economies.
Table 13. Global tea Exports Comparison
(2011-2013) Unit: MT
Change
Country
2013
2012
2011
-39
Kenya
118882
118153
107458
729
74933
6126
China
76156
74036
74359
2120
117261
72436
44825
Sri Lanka
70973
75892
73648
-4919
970
687
650*
283
3
21316
17723
3593
78
403
150*
-325
TANZANIA
3
10276
11572
-1296
8844
11539
9059
-2695
UGANDA
3
9884
8098
1786
275903
280710
265324
-4807
319728
267787
51941
TOTAL
Following increased tea production, tea prices have
decreased gradually since inception of the first quarter
in most tea auctions with comparison to fourth quarter
of 2012. However, few of the auctions reflected unprecedented price increase.(Colombo & Chittagong)
due to increased domestic consumption and fair
demand for orthodox black tea compared to other tea
types.
Table 12- Average prices in major auction centers
as at 31st March 2010-2013
Centre
2013
2012
2011
2010
2012/2013
change
Kolkata
2.56 2.01
2.77
2.58
0.55
Cochin
2.03 1.73
1.73
1.71
0.3
Chittagong
3.22 1.88
2.14
2.63
1.34
Mombasa
2.88 2.67
2.72
2.54
0.21
Jakarta
2.27 1.84
1.97
1.81
0.43
Colombo
3.38 2.99
3.26
3.28
0.39
Guwahati
Malawi
World
2.25 1.74
1.96 1.67
2.90 2.47
2.33
1.61
2.73
2.43
1.58
2.71
0.51
0.29
0.43
Taiwan
Bangladesh
Uganda
Total
2012/2013
Source: ITC * - Estimated figures
China, mainly green tea exports remained unchanged to
West Africa region while European countries showed a
slight increase due to its health benefits. Despite the fact
that, China’s tea exports to CIS region decreased by
21% compared to last year same period and other Asian
countries showed signs to buy more green teas from
China as green tea health benefits were in all demographic categories.
Libya, Tunisia, Iraq and Egypt markets did not rebound
to earlier positions after the regime changed. Hence, statistics published on tea business were unclear in these
countries and instability in Banking system behaved
unfavorably for stability of business. The crisis in Iran
and Syria made a huge negative impact to world tea
market as they absorbed considerable amounts of
imports..
The statistics published on various sources regarding
world tea production, auctions prices and tea exports
revealed that major share is now absorbed by the producing countries while non producing countries consumption of tea reported to be stagnant though World
Food and Agricultural Organization predicted demand to
improve by 2 percent per year for the next decade.
PUBLICATION OF TEA PROMOTION DIVISION—SRI LANKA TEA BOARD
Tea market update Volume 8 No. 1
Trade Fair Participation
FOODEX - Japan 2013 – 5th to 8th March 2013
Sri Lanka Tea Board participated for the above trade
exhibition with the following tea exporting companies.
Alpha Tea Holdings ,Ceylon Fresh Teas (Pvt.) Ltd, Tea
Tang (Pvt.) Ltd , Stassen Exports (Pvt.) Ltd , Jafferjee
Brothers.
P AG E
7
International Coffee and Tea Industry, Singapore
(expo-2013 Fair) 12-17th March 2013.
Sri Lanka Tea Board participated at the above fair with
following Ceylon Tea exporters.
1. Stassen exports Limited
2. Imperial Teas (Pvt) Ltd
3. Akbar Brothers Ltd
PRODEXPO 2013 in Moscow- 11th-15th February
Sri Lanka Tea Board Moscow office organized the event
and participated with following tea companies.
Ceylon Tea Land (Pvt) Ltd, Dasatha Exports and Imports
(Pvt) Ltd, Stassen Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Kaushalya Exports
(Pvt) Ltd, Natures Pride (Pvt) Ltd.
GULFFOOD 2013 in Dubai, UAE –24th-27th February
Sri Lanka Tea Board UAE office organized the event
participation with following tea companies.
Eswaran Brothers exports (Pvt) ltd, Empire Teas (pvt) Ltd,
Regency Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Ceylon Tea Marketing (Pvt) Ltd,
Ranfer Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Quality Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd, Classic
Teas (Pvt) Ltd, Euro Scan Exports (Pvt) Ltd.
Food & Drink Event 2013 (IFE) in London (17th to 20th Sri Lanka Three Day Mega Promotion Campaign in
March 2013)
Bangalore, India (21st-24th February)
Sri Lanka Tea Board participated for the first time at
IFE and had a stand for promoting Ceylon Tea.
Tea Promotional activities carried during the Sri Lanka
Three Day Mega Promotion in Bangalore. Enhance the
exposure and awareness of “Ceylon Tea” in Bangalore
with other government and private sector organizations.
There was a general demand for High end tea that
caters by “Dilmah” tea. The Campaign will help to
increase Sri Lanka tea exports to India.
The country promotion activities comprised with Consumer awareness program and B2B meetings mainly.
1. Basilur Tea (Pvt) Ltd
2. Vintage Teas (Pvt) Ltd
3. Amazon Trading (Pvt) Ltd
All leading tea importers and distributors in United
Kingdom were invited and wide publicity was
given by the fair organizers.
PUBLICATION OF TEA PROMOTION DIVISION—SRI LANKA TEA BOARD
Tea market update Volume 8. No. 1
P AG E
Research Update
Green Tea Possible Interactions with medicine
If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not drink green tea or take green tea
extract without first talking to your health care provider:
Adenosine -- Green tea may inhibit the actions of
adenosine, a medication given in the hospital for an irregular and usually unstable heart rhythm.
Beta-lactam -- Green tea may increase the effectiveness
of beta-lactam antibiotics by making bacteria less resistant to treatment.
Benzodiazepines -- Caffeine, including caffeine from
green tea, may reduce the sedative effects of these medications commonly used to treat anxiety, such as diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan).
Beta-blockers, Propranolol, and Metoprolol -- Caffeine,
including caffeine from green tea, may increase blood
pressure in people taking propranolol (Inderal) and
metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL). These medications
are used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease.
Blood Thinning Medications -- People who take warfarin (Coudamin) should not drink green tea. Since
green tea contains vitamin K, it can make this medication ineffective. You should not mix green tea and aspirin because they both prevent blood from clotting. Using
the two together may increase your risk of bleeding.
Chemotherapy -- The combination of green tea and chemotherapy medications, specifically doxorubicin and
tamoxifen, increased the effectiveness of these medications in laboratory tests. However, the same results have
not been found in studies on people. On the other hand,
there have been reports of both green and black tea extracts affecting a gene in prostate cancer cells that may
make them less sensitive to chemotherapy drugs. For
that reason, people should talk to their doctors before
drinking black and green tea or taking tea extracts while
undergoing chemotherapy.
Clozapine (Clozaril) -- The effects of the clozapine
may be reduced if taken within 40 minutes after drinking green tea.
Ephedrine -- When taken with ephedrine, green tea
may cause agitation, tremors, insomnia, and weight loss.
Lithium -- Green tea has been shown to reduce blood
levels of lithium, a medication used to treat bipolar disorder. That can make lithium less effective.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) -- Green tea
may cause a severe increase in blood pressure, called a
"hypertensive crisis," when taken together with these
drugs used to treat depression. Examples of MAOIs include:
Isocarboxazid (Marplan),Moclobemide (Manerix)
Phenelzine (Nardil), Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
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Birth control pills -- Oral contraceptives can prolong the
amount of time caffeine stays in the body, which may
increase its stimulating effects.
Phenylpropanolamine -- A combination of caffeine, including caffeine from green tea, and phenylpropanolamine, used in many over-the-counter and prescription
cough and cold medications and weight loss products,
may cause mania and a severe increase in blood pressure.
The FDA issued a public health advisory in November
2000 to warn people of the risk of bleeding in the brain
from use of this medication and urged all manufacturers
of this drug to remove it from the market. Most drugs that
contained phenylpropanolamine have been reformulated
without it.
Quinolone antibiotics -- Green tea may makes these
medications more effective and also increase the risk of
side effects. These medications include:
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro),Enoxacin Penetrex) ,
Grepafloxacin (Raxar), Norfloxacin (Chibroxin,
Noroxin), Sparfloxacin (Zagam)
Trovafloxacin (Trovan)
Other medications -- Green tea, especially caffeinated
green tea, may interact with a number for medications,
including:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Dipyridamole (Persatine)
Estrogen
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Methotrexate
Mexiletine (Mexitil)
Phenobarbital
Theophylline
Verapamil (Bosoptin, Calan, Covera- HS, Verelan, Verelan PM)
To be safe, check with your health care provider before
drinking or taking green tea if you also take other medications.
Trade and statistics inquiries:
Sri Lanka Tea Board
574,Galle Rd, Colombo – 03.
Tel :2587814,2582122 Fax : 2587341
PUBLICATION OF TEA PROMOTION DIVISION— SRI LANKA TEA BOARD