Akbar Tea is a tea company owned by Akbar Brothers Ltd. based in Sri Lanka. The company produces a range of tea bags, loose teas and gifts including: black tea, green tea, flavoured teas, and herbal teas. Akbar Brothers is the largest tea exporter from Sri Lanka.
History
In 1864 Shaikh Hebtulabhoy migrated from India to Sri Lanka, establishing a food import/export company based in Pettah. His son, Tyeabally Shaikh Hebtulabhoy established the tea company, M. S. Hebtulabhoy & Company Limited. Hebtulabhoy & Co began shipping tea overseas in 1907. In 1969 Tyeabally Shaikh Hebtulabhoy's grandsons, Abbasally, Abidally and Inayetally Akbarally resigned from Hebtulabhoys & Co. and established Akbar Brothers. Within three years Akbar Brothers were exporting to major tea markets in the Middle East and other parts of the world. In 1972 Akbar Brothers Limited was incorporated and their father, Shaikh Akbarally, retired as the chairman of Hebtulabhoys & Co. joining his sons. The firm is still owned and managed by members of the family and is Sri Lanka’s largest tea exporter.
Facilities
The company operates two production complexes in Kelaniya and Wattala, utilising modern manufacturing equipment from Germany, Italy and Japan.
• Highest Foreign Exchange Earner -Tea Sector 2017 • Best Sri Lankan Export Brand 2017 • Highest Value Added Exporter-Tea Sector 2016 • Highest Foreign Exchange Earner -Tea Sector 2016 • Best Sri Lankan Export Brand 2016 • Highest Foreign Exchange Earner -Tea Sector 2015 • Most Market Diversified Exporter 2015 • Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter 2015 • Highest Foreign Exchange Earner -Tea Sector 2014 • Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter 2014 • Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter 2013 • Best Tea Sector Exporter 2013 • Best Tea Sector Exporter 2012 • Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter 2012 • Best Tea Sector Exporter 2011 • Best Sri Lankan Overall Exporter 2010 • Best Tea Sector Exporter 2010 • Merit Award–Value Added Tea Exporter2009 • Best Value Added Tea Exporter 2009 • Exporter to Highest number of Destinations 2009 • Highest Net Foreign Exchange Earner 2009 • Merit Award–Value Added Tea Exporter 2008 • Best Value Added Tea Exporter 2008 • Exporter to Highest number of Destinations 2008 • Highest Net Foreign Exchange Earner 2008 • Winner of the “Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter” 2007 • Merit Award for Value Tea Exporter 2006 • Exporter to the Highest number of Destinations 2006 • Best Value Added Tea Exporter 2006 • Sri Lankan Exporter of the Year 2006
SLIM - Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing - (Brand Excellence Award)
• Export Brand of the Year - 2011 • ‘AKBAR’ brand - 2005 & 2006 Gold Award • Winner of the “International Brand of the Year”
• Highest Tea Market Coverage 2016 • Highest Foreign Exchange Earner - Value added Tea Category 2016 • Highest Foreign Exchange Earner - Bulk Tea Category 2016 • Best Value Added Tea Exporter- Large Scale Category 2016 • Best Bulk Tea Exporter - Large Scale Category 2016 • Best Tea Exporter of the Year 2016
Ministry of Plantation Industry
• Best Exporter who penetrated into new Tea Markets 2013 • Best Value Added Exporter 2013 • Best Brand Owner 2013 • Best Tea Exporter 2013 • Largest Foreign Exchange Earner - Tea Exports 2013
