Plans are underway to expand the local food and beverage export industry by establishing the Netherlands as a strategic hub to boost exports to the European Union (EU), the Export Development Board (EDB) reveals.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, EDB Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe revealed that Sri Lanka’s food and beverage exports achieved a total revenue of $ 478 million in 2024, which amounted to an 11% Year-on-Year (YoY) growth.
He noted that this growth highlighted the food and beverage export sector’s resilience and the expanding global demand for Sri Lankan food and beverage products.
“The food and beverage export industry accounted for 3.4% of the country’s total merchandise exports, underscoring its significance within the nation’s export portfolio. This upward trend reflects the sector’s potential for further expansion, driven by increasing international market penetration and growing consumer preference for Sri Lankan products,” he stated.
Accordingly, Wijesinghe revealed that as part of the ongoing drive to expand the food and beverage export industry, discussions had commenced for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to establish the Netherlands as a strategic hub to boost food exports to the EU.
Additionally, he said that feasibility studies were being planned for high-quality value-added salt production for the food processing industry and organic certification for sugarcane plantations and processing centres.
Wijesinghe further revealed that they had identified potential investment areas in the seafood sector and were working on implementing a traceability system for Ceylon Cinnamon to enhance its global competitiveness.
Plans are also underway to position Sri Lanka as a commodity hub for value-added Australian agricultural products, allowing re-export to other markets.
Moreover, to further support the local food and beverage export sector, the EDB will be organising Sri Lanka’s participation in international trade events, Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings, and inward buying missions to connect local businesses with global buyers and investors.
According to Wijesinghe, these initiatives aim to strengthen Sri Lanka’s food export industry and expand its market reach.
