Middle East conflict hits Sri Lanka's tea industry, heightens economic strain - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwAFBVV95cUxQRDJLVXhkQ21GQzZabVNDTEN2dlF0T053cmx0S2JRY213Q0RPRUZTLVFBTWhjYndxQ1UzeEkxOTJYMnRBYlBMcF8zR0Q3blFqZm9rdEpTNjh6dF9RZThmamZDYU01Sk1ZZUZxbndKMmJWRzlkc2dtdWVuamJUWHhpcXVBcm9aeFYyVDZjWm5RbVpFWkxnMzZVeU1iRlc3LXhQQUREM1hQdVFLYUszdVNlVGQtY3NmZ0VvTEVUMUVOVkg?oc=5" target="_blank">Middle East conflict hits Sri Lanka's tea industry, heightens economic strain</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

The Middle East conflict has severely impacted Sri Lanka's tea industry, leading to a 17.3% decline in tea export earnings in March and causing economic strain for workers and producers.

Sri Lanka's tea exports declined by 1.6% year-on-year in April, with export earnings falling by 5.64%, attributed to shipping disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

The Sri Lankan government has announced an additional Rs. 2.5 billion fertilizer subsidy to support tea smallholders and growers affected by rising costs due to Gulf tensions.

Tea exports from Sri Lanka have declined due to disruptions in shipping routes caused by tensions in West Asia, leading to increased logistics costs and uncertainties in exports.