By Charles Haviland BBC News, Colombo

	Experts say tea's current problems stem partly from bad weather

Along with textiles, tourism and remittances, the famous Ceylon Tea is a key earner for the island nation.

But figures for its production this year are turning out to be slightly disappointing.

Just weeks ago, there were high hopes that Sri Lanka's tea harvest this year would surpass that of last year, which itself was the biggest ever.

Now, though, tea brokers say that is unlikely, after disappointing figures for August.

Troubles in Mideast

The tea crop for that month fell eight percent on the same month last year – weighing in at just under 24 million kilogrammes.

Tea from the highest hilly locations, and from medium altitudes, declined especially sharply – by more than 20%.

But the overall figures were helped by tea grown lower down, which makes up the bulk of the crop; that has held up well.

Experts say tea's current problems stem partly from bad weather.

The climate in the hills has been unpredictable, with drought at times and heavy rain at others in recent months.

They also say high wages have dampened the output – most workers got a 25 percent salary increase in June, although they are still one of Sri Lanka’s poorest communities.

And the market has been weak.

Key importers of Ceylon Tea in the Middle East and North Africa are going through turbulent times.

There have now been five consecutive months in which tea output is down on last year.