Every story is better with a cup of tea!
Our Story
Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd is internationally renowned as one of Sri Lanka’s foremost exporters of high-quality Ceylon Tea. Alghazaleen tea is part of this family company who have nurtured and developed a tradition of excellence in the fine art of tea blending and packaging since 1907.
With Alghazaleen Ceylon tea and Akbar brands commanding market leadership, Akbar Brothers, the country’s biggest tea exporter, is now positioned as Sri Lanka’s largest marketer of branded pure Ceylon tea products.
History of Alghazaleen
Shaikh Hebtulabhoy migrated from India to Sri Lanka, establishing a food import/export company. He was the first ancestor of the Akbarallys in Ceylon.
Scotsman James Taylor started Sri Lanka’s first tea estate, 19-acre Loolecondera Estate, marking the birth of the tea industry in Ceylon.
Taylor began the operation of the first fully equipped tea factory at Loolecondera Estate and the first sale of Loolecondera tea was made in Kandy.
The first Shipment of Ceylon Tea, a consignment of 23lb (10kg) arrived in London for trade.
After the great blight destroyed the Ceylon coffee industry, planters switched to tea. Shaikh Hebtulabhoy and his sons began trading in tea, which had rapidly become the island's leading export.
Tyeabally Shaikh Hebtulabhoy established the tea company, M. S. Hebtulabhoy & Company Limited. Hebtulabhoy & Co began shipping tea overseas.
Shaikh Akbarally Tyeabally, father of the three founding directors, joined Akbar Brothers.
Quick Tea (PVT) Ltd was formed to undertake the processing and export of tea bags.
Falcon Trading is established. Akbar Brothers Exports established to handle the group’s exports of packeted tea.
Akbar Brothers becomes Sri Lanka's largest tea exporter; exporting over 21 million kilograms of tea. Tea House was established to market specialty tea packs. Wattala warehousing complex was set up.
Akbar Brothers remains Sri Lanka's largest tea exporter, achieves volume of over 31 million kilograms for the first time - an all-time national record.
Akbar Brothers Chairman, Mr. Abbas Akbarally, celebrates 50 years in the tea trade. Group receives five awards from the National Chamber of Exporters including “The best Sri Lankan Brand” for ALGHAZALEEN tea
Akbar Brothers celebrates its tenth consecutive year as Sri Lanka's largest exporter of tea, shipping a value of 38.5 million kilos.
Akbar Brothers received the Presidential Export Award for the 32nd time.
Award for Best Sri Lankan Brand Exporter by the EDB - Presidential Export Awards.
Award for Best Sri Lankan Export Brand by the EDB - Presidential Export Awards.
Award for Highest Foreign Exchange - Tea Sector by the EDB - Presidential Export Awards.
Award for Best Sri Lankan Export Brand by the EDB - Presidential Export Awards
Akbar Brothers was the 1st Tea company in the world to be awarded ‘Covid-19 Control Environment’ Certification by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).
