Sri Lanka's Apex Organisation for Export Promotion
Today (27-04-2022) the European Union (EU) handed over the Geographical Indication (GI) certification to Ceylon Cinnamon, Sri Lanka’s first GI-certified product. An official ceremony took place between the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB).
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 9.91% to US$ 1,046 Million in February 2022 compared to February 2021 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. Further, it is a 5.8% increase when compared to February 2020.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 13% to US$ 1,062.63 Million in January 2022 compared to January 2021 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. Further, it is a 5.7% increase when compared to January 2020.
As the final of the series of Agri Webinars organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany together with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) and Import Promotion Desk of Germany (IPD), webinar on “Sustainable Supply Chains and Due Diligence Laws in the Organic Agriculture Sector” was held on 24 January 2022 with the participation of a large number of Sri Lankan Agri Exporters.
The Gulf region has built a strong brand identity in the Food and Beverage space. UAE is blessed with a strategic location between East and West which makes its accessible to major emerging economies, linking shipping routes in Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. Gulfood Exhibition launched in 1987 and has currently become the World’s largest annual food and beverage trade show. The 2020 edition of the show has attracted more than 60,000 visitors & 2,500 exhibitors from 162 countries seeking business opportunities and exploring the latest F&B products and innovation. The 2021 event was held following social distancing & hygiene protocols as per the new normal conditions of the world due to COVID – 19 pandemic.
Marking a moment of historical significance, Sri Lanka received its first ever Geographical Indication (GI) certification when the European Union (EU) Commission on 02nd February, 2022 granted GI status to Ceylon Cinnamon. The outcome was a result of a painstaking, decade-long, arduous endeavour led by the Sri Lanka Export Development (EDB) under the Ministry of Trade with the support of numerous public and private stakeholders.
Trade Minister Hon Bandula Gunawardhana presented cheques and certificates to potential and existing exporters who were selected as beneficiaries under several EDB-led assistance schemes on 28th January, 2022, during a function held at JAIC Hilton hotel. The beneficiaries were chosen under the EDB assistance programmes on National Export Brand Development, New Exporter Development, and Market Access Support.
Import Promotion Desk (IPD) intensifies its activities in Sri Lanka and amplifies its cooperation with their strategical partner EDB – the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka. The initiative, funded by the Federal German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), supports national organizations to further develop export promotion services and establish sustainable trade relations. At the opening ceremony of the IPD Hub in Sri Lanka, which was held on 27th January, 2022 in Colombo, the EDB and IPD reaffirm their commitment to their cooperation.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 16.71% to US$ 1,125.69 Million in December 2021 compared to December 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. In parallel, 12.48% increase recorded in December 2021 compared to December 2019.
EDB in collaboration with Import Promotion Desk (IPD), Germany conducted an onsite training program on 25th January, 2025 for exporters who are going to participate for the Biofach trade fair 2022.
Jan Paul Bethke, a leading German importer of Sri Lankan fruits and tea, urged Sri Lankan agri-product exporters to practice effective and superior packaging if they are to be successful in terms of capturing markets in Europe. “If you package your product well, include a QR code (incorporating extensive details such as the farmer who grew products), and convey a personalised story, customers in advanced markets such as Germany and Europe would develop an affinity with your products”, Bethke noted. He made these remarks at a forum organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) on packaging and value addition strategies to enhance Sri Lanka’s agri-product exports to Germany on 12th January, 2022.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 55.11% to US$ 1,215.6 Million in November 2021 compared to November 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. Exports maintained above one billion dollars for the fifth consecutive month in November this year.
Fair trade is an alternative to conventional trade which strives to support producers and workers across the world, to achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships.
“Born in Sri Lanka – Ceylon Cinnamon” was the title of a virtual event conducted last week in Melbourne, with the participation of a panel of experts and businessmen in the field, for the promotion of Ceylon Cinnamon in the Australian states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The purpose of the event was to reinvigorate the market enthusiasm for Ceylon Cinnamon in Australia by bringing forth the new information on various export products of Ceylon Cinnamon manufactured in Sri Lanka and the process of their export to Australia with special focus on the Australian regulations and market dynamics.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) – Regional Development division implemented an Export Coaching Programme as a pilot project for twenty-five (25) selected, export potential SMEs that are registered under the EDB – New Exporter Development Programme and assist them to develop capacities to enter the export market.
As the country’s exports continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) remains confident of the future prospects of the country’s export sector, with its focus to break into premium markets.
Last year, the Export Development Board (EDB) could not hold the Presidential Export Awards for financial year 2019/2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and therefore it was held as a combined awards scheme this year.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 35.9% to US$ 1,160.62 Million in October 2021 compared to October 2020 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs. Exports maintained above one billion for the fifth time this year.
The demand for organic food products is continuously increasing due to the growing interest in markets such as EU, USA, Middle East, Japan, and China. Among the producing countries, Sri Lanka maintains a reputation as a reliable producer and supplier of organic agricultural products adhering to the internationally required organic standards such as “EU Organic”, “USDA”, “JAS” etc. Even during COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka has received considerable amount of orders for organic food products such as tea, spices, coconut kernel products, jack fruit products, traditional rice, kithul treacle etc. As a result, increasing the supply base of organic food products to serve the foreign orders on time is necessary to bring more foreign currency to the country. Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia are the main markets for these products. Even though our farmers/processors follow organic agricultural and processing practices, the products will not be marketed as “organic” unless it is verified and certified by a third-party-accredited certification body.
