In the ever-evolving world of tea, where tradition meets innovation, few companies stand out as pioneers of both quality and sustainability. Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon, under the leadership of CEO Almas Marikkar, has carved a unique niche as the World’s First Climate-Positive Tea Company.
Renowned for its commitment to ethical practices, environmental stewardship, and unparalleled tea quality, the company has become a beacon of responsible tea production. In this exclusive interview, Almas Marikkar shares insights into the challenges and triumphs of steering Bogawantalawa towards global recognition, the company’s aspirations in an increasingly competitive market, and the strategies that ensure their teas remain at the forefront of sustainability and excellence.
Almas Marikkar is a highly accomplished finance professional who has successfully transitioned into a transformational CEO role, bringing with him over 15 years of international experience. His extensive career has seen him take on pivotal roles in major business units with turnovers exceeding USD 3 billion. Marikkar’s professional journey is marked by his expertise in reviving, growing, and leading businesses across diverse industries, having contributed significantly to renowned companies such as Adidas and Hameedia in Sri Lanka, as well as Almarai and Renault in Saudi Arabia.
An award-winning CEO and recognised as an emerging leader, Almas Marikkar currently spearheads Global Market Expansion at Bogawantalawa Tea Ceylon. He leads a dynamic and diverse team, combining seasoned expertise with young talent to drive innovation and sustainability in the global tea and infusions market. His leadership is marked by a strong focus on total value chain partnerships, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of meeting the evolving needs of global consumers.
Almas Marikkar holds an Executive MBA and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Furthering his commitment to academic and professional excellence, he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Colombo.
Q: How is Bogawantalawa different from other Ceylon Tea companies?
We stand out as the World’s First Climate-Positive Tea Company due to our deep commitment to sustainability and biodynamic farming. Our unique terroir in the Bogawantalawa region, situated between 4,000 – 6,000 feet above sea level, with its ideal micro-climatic conditions, are the most suitable elements to make a full-bodied and perfect cup of tea. The unique flavour and the colour of the tea are simply unmatched and ensures a superior quality tea leaf which helps make the region profoundly known as the Golden Valley of Ceylon Tea.
Q: Let’s talk about your aspirations in the global market and how you can adapt and survive in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Standing out in the crowded international tea market requires a blend of sustainability, ethical practices, and high-quality products. The biggest challenge is meeting evolving consumer preferences for transparency and ethical sourcing in a highly competitive industry. At Bogawantalawa Teas, we turn this challenge into an opportunity by emphasising our unique position as the World’s First Climate-Positive Tea Company. As a grower, we are blessed with a definite edge, and our marketing communications constantly highlight our sustainable practices, like biodynamic farming and carbon sequestration, supported by professional certifications such as Climate-Positive, Carbon-Neutral, RA, and Fairtrade. We leverage digital platforms and storytelling at ground zero to connect with consumers, showcasing the quality, heritage, and ethical production of our Ceylon teas.
As we expand our global footprint, these core values guide us in bringing our exceptional teas and infusions to new markets, ensuring that our commitment to sustainability and quality resonates with tea lovers around the world.
Q: What are the challenges facing the tea industry and your organisation in particular, and how do you plan to address them?
The biggest challenge for the tea industry, including Bogawantalawa Teas, is climate change. This disrupts the delicate conditions needed for high-quality tea production, impacting temperature, rainfall, and soil health. We address this by pioneering climate-positive initiatives and employing biodynamic farming, which enhances soil fertility and biodiversity. Our organic fields avoid harmful chemicals, and our climate-positive status reflects our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and restoring the environment.
Additionally, we prioritise fair wages, safe working conditions, and community support for our tea harvesters. This holistic approach ensures that we continue to offer the finest Ceylon Teas while safeguarding the planet for future generations. At our Climate-Smart Agriculture Centre, we pioneer innovative farming techniques that enhance sustainability while mitigating the effects of climate change. It is spearheaded by our Director of Sustainability and R&D, Dr. Thusitha Bandara, who is the expert overseeing this project. Through research and development, we empower farmers with knowledge and tools to adopt environmentally friendly practices, ensuring long-term agricultural resilience. Additionally, we have pioneered with the IDH Living Wage programme to enhance their living conditions.
Q. What metrics do you use to measure the effectiveness of your sustainability initiatives, and how do you use these insights to optimise future projects?
Our Sustainability Model is central to our strategy, providing a clear framework to measure and enhance our initiatives. This systematic approach ensures we meet the highest standards of sustainability while delivering premium teas that our global consumers can trust and enjoy.
We employ a robust model with 45 Impact Drivers and 135 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of our sustainability efforts across social, environmental, and economic dimensions. Social metrics ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and community development. Environmental metrics monitor our carbon footprint, energy use, and biodiversity conservation, while economic metrics assess profitability and long-term viability without compromising sustainability.
By continuously analysing this data, we identify strengths and areas for improvement, driving continual enhancement across our operations. For example, if our KPIs show an increase in energy consumption, we can implement more efficient practices. These insights help optimise future projects, ensuring they align with our mission of maintaining ecological balance and delivering climate-positive teas globally. This rigorous approach not only upholds our sustainability commitments but also reinforces our leadership in ethical practices and environmental stewardship in the tea industry.
Our Climate-Smart Agriculture Centre is focused on the adoption of regenerative agriculture techniques, conservation of biodiversity, implementation of integrated nutrient management systems, and the overall adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices.
Q: How do you keep abreast of industry trends, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your marketing strategies?
Staying informed about industry upgrades and progressive activities is essential to our growth. We achieve this through comprehensive market research, analysing industry reports, and actively participating in global tea conventions. Market research helps us understand consumer preferences and emerging trends, while industry reports provide insights into market dynamics and the competitive landscape. Our presence at global events allows us to network, learn about innovations, and monitor competitor activities.
