An 8-member delegation comprising six tea growers from across Europe - the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium, is visiting Sri Lanka from 23 to 30 March 2026. The visit marks an important step in strengthening international collaboration within the global tea sector and fostering connections between European tea growers and Sri Lanka’s well-established tea industry.
The tour is organized by founder of Cup of Tea Travel, Deirdre Deprettere from the Netherlands, together with founder of Dapper Concepts Consultancy, Karlijn Dapper also from the Netherlands. The initiative is facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Netherlands, the Sri Lanka Tea Board and CATA (Ceylon Artisanal Tea Association).
In addition to visiting a range of tea plantations across the country, the delegation will engage with key industry stakeholders, including the Sri Lanka Tea Board, Colombo Tea Traders Association and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. The programme also includes a visit to the old Colombo tea auction site (the auction is now held online), providing participants with valuable insight into Sri Lanka’s tea trade history.
The purpose of this initiative is to facilitate a study and exchange tour that brings European small scale tea producers into direct engagement with Sri Lankan artisanal. The program also aims to foster long term collaboration between growers in Sri Lanka and Europe, creating opportunities for future partnerships in production, education, and trade. At the same time, it strengthens Sri Lanka’s international profile as a leading hub for artisanal and sustainable tea, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of specialty tea.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
The Hague
27 March 2026
