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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.