Gralgo's organic tea revolution: From Sri Lanka to Europe, with a sustainable twist
Gralgo, a Sri Lankan specialty tea producer, is making waves in the European market. Renowned for its commitment to sustainable practices and innovative product development, Gralgo has achieved EU Organic certification for 56 of its products.
This certification is a significant milestone, positioning the company to capitalize on the growing international demand for certified organic and ethically sourced goods in the United Kingdom, European Union, and beyond.
This achievement was propelled by the support of the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC). But at the heart of Gralgo's success is a dedication to quality and innovation.
Quality and innovation: The Gralgo difference
Gralgo's newly certified organic range spans a delightful array of classic, fruit-infused, and herbal teas. Among the enticing offerings are popular blends like Vanilla & Rose and Mango & Peach. These aren't just any teas; Gralgo's unwavering commitment to quality and flavor has garnered international acclaim, including multiple Great Taste Awards.
These accolades have not only validated Gralgo's reputation for artisanal excellence but have also captured the attention of discerning UK retailers.
However, Gralgo's innovation doesn't stop at flavor. The company has also introduced the Tea Coin – a truly unique and sustainable product. Crafted from 100% compressed tea leaves, the Tea Coin eliminates the need for wasteful packaging like bags, tags, and strings, offering a clean and convenient brewing experience.
This ingenious creation embodies Gralgo’s core values of simplicity, sustainability, and innovation, and has been lauded by the industry for its groundbreaking concept and execution.
'The Tea Coin reflects our values: simplicity, sustainability, and innovation. We're now working to certify the entire Tea Coin range as EU Organic,' says Manji Ariyawansa, General Manager of Gralgo.
Navigating the path to organic certification
Gralgo began its certification journey in 2024, implementing changes in November 2024 following their Gap Analysis and successfully achieving certification by April 2025. The process wasn't without its challenges. A significant hurdle was sourcing flavoring ingredients that adhered to the stringent new EU organic regulations, which mandate that flavors be either fully organic or "From The Named Fruit" (FTNF).
This scarcity in Sri Lanka compelled Gralgo to forge new supplier relationships across international markets, demonstrating the company's resilience and commitment to meeting the highest standards.
The UKTP Programme played a crucial role in facilitating this complex process, providing Gralgo with technical guidance, financial support, and access to invaluable industry expertise."Without the support of the UKTP programme, navigating the technical and financial challenges of this certification would have been far more difficult,” affirms Manji. “The training and expert input we received have positioned us not only for EU Organic success but also for long-term compliance and competitiveness in the global market."
Gralgo's vision for the future
With EU Organic certification secured, Gralgo is now strategically engaging with organic-focused distributors, premium retailers, and health-conscious sales channels across the UK and EU. The company is actively fulfilling sample orders and anticipates increased shelf visibility, stronger distributor partnerships, and significant growth in export market sales volumes.
Looking ahead, Gralgo has ambitious plans to extend certification to its innovative Tea Coin range and pursue further product development aligned with international organic and sustainability standards.
'This milestone is part of a broader journey. We’re building a brand that embodies the essence of Sri Lanka—anchored in quality, sustainability, and innovation,' concludes Manji.
About the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP)
UKTP is implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. UKTP aims to increase trade from developing countries to the United Kingdom and the European Union by maximizing the benefits of UK and EU Economic Partnership Agreements and the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
UKTP implements various trade promotion and capacity building activities around the world at different stages of the value chain. UKTP works in partnership with government agencies, private sector organisations, public sector institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises and other local stakeholders.
