COLOMBO – August 28, 2026 – Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC (BTE PLC), a pioneer in sustainable plantation management, today announced the release of its Annual Report for the financial year ended March 31, 2026. The report highlights resilient revenue growth, strategic diversification efforts, and the company’s continued commitment to its globally recognized “World’s 1st Climate Positive Teas” status amidst an improving yet challenging economic backdrop.
The announcement, made public on August 28, 2026, provides a comprehensive overview of BTE PLC’s financial performance, operational advancements, and its robust sustainability framework, underscoring its vision to be the world’s best tea growing and marketing company.
Financial Performance Navigates Cost Pressures
For the financial year 2025/26, Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC recorded a 10.0% increase in revenue, reaching Rs. 5.67 billion, up from Rs. 5.15 billion in the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by enhanced tea and oil palm production volumes. However, the company’s profitability was moderated by significant cost pressures, particularly rising labour and input costs, and increased tax burdens.
Profit before tax (PBT) stood at Rs. 932.13 million, a decrease from Rs. 1,240.04 million in FY 2024/25, while profit after tax (PAT) was recorded at Rs. 568.16 million, compared to Rs. 1,042.94 million in the prior year. Despite these headwinds, the company maintained a strong financial position, with total assets increasing by 5% to Rs. 9.78 billion and shareholders’ equity growing by 5% to Rs. 4.29 billion. Net asset value per share improved to Rs. 51.25, reflecting the underlying strength of the asset base.
The company’s value-added contribution rose by 4% to Rs. 3.80 billion, highlighting its broad economic impact through operations, employment, and procurement activities.
Strategic Focus: Core Tea Business and Diversification
Tea remains the cornerstone of BTE PLC’s operations. The company increased its tea production by 3.0% to approximately 4.02 million kg, attributing this to a sustained focus on field productivity, crop management, factory efficiency, and operational discipline. The Chairman’s Statement emphasized the importance of quality differentiation and value creation, particularly as national average auction prices saw a marginal decline.
Diversification is a key long-term strategy, with significant progress in oil palm operations, which saw production increase substantially to approximately 2.64 million kg from 1.92 million kg in the previous year. This segment now contributes 4% to Group revenue. Furthermore, Low Country spice initiatives in cinnamon, vanilla, and pepper are advancing towards commercialization, promising to broaden agricultural income and enhance land productivity.
Global Leadership in Climate Positive Sustainability
Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC continued to reinforce its position as a globally recognized climate-positive plantation enterprise. The Annual Report underscores the deep integration of sustainability into its strategic direction, serving as a core driver of long-term value creation and operational resilience.
Key achievements in sustainability include:
- Maintaining internationally recognized Climate Positive operational status.
- Strengthening Net Zero Energy leadership through solar photovoltaic installations, mini-hydropower generation, and biomass utilization.
- Advancing regenerative agriculture practices, including integrated composting, organic nutrient management, and agroforestry.
- Enhancing biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, and ecosystem restoration initiatives.
- Strengthening social sustainability through employee wellbeing programs, occupational health and safety, women empowerment, and community development.
- Reinforcing ESG governance frameworks and sustainability reporting practices.
The company’s sustainability model, based on Environmental, Social, and Economic pillars, is supported by 45 impact drivers and 135 measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), ensuring transparent and science-based sustainability management.
Outlook and Annual General Meeting
Looking ahead to FY 2026/27, BTE PLC expresses cautious optimism, prioritizing improved tea productivity and quality, strengthening cost competitiveness, expanding oil palm contributions, progressing diversification initiatives, accelerating mechanization, enhancing climate resilience, and maintaining financial discipline. The company views productivity, diversification, and sustainability as interconnected elements crucial for long-term value creation.
Shareholders are invited to the Thirty-Third (33rd) Annual General Meeting, which will be held by electronic means on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Key agenda items include receiving the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements, re-electing directors Ms. S. H. Munasinghe and Mr. C. M. O. Haglind, and seeking approval for the re-appointment of Mr. D. J. Ambani (73 years) and Mr. D. A. de S. Wickramanayake (76 years) as Directors, in accordance with the Companies Act.
It was also noted that subsequent to the reporting period, on July 24, 2026, the company successfully settled its outstanding debenture issue amounting to LKR 229,607,000, fully redeeming all outstanding debentures.
Bogawantalawa Tea Estates PLC remains confident in its ability to navigate challenges and leverage emerging opportunities, building on its strong heritage in Ceylon Tea and its commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.
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