Sunday Observer Online
   

Home

Sunday, 21 August 2011

Untitled-1

observer
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

Profood and Propack Expo from Aug 26:

Biotech, eco-farming to sustain growth in food sector

Biotechnology and eco-farming will be introduced to expand the processed food sector, said Minister of Industries and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen at a ceremony to launch the Profood Propack 2011, the processing and packaging exhibition.

He said Sri Lanka's packaging industry is growing similar to the tea and coconut industries.

"Income from the packaging industry for the first quarter this year is US$ 49.5 billion which is a substantial growth compared to last year", Bathiudeen said.

The packaging industry accounts for around three percent of the country's GDP with an annual growth of 10 percent.

"The processing and packaging industry will record a higher growth this year following the recovery and expansion of the global market", Bathiudeen said.

Exports from the processed food industry recorded an income of US$ 62.21m last year which is a 31.7 percent growth compared to the previous year.

The food and beverage industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the country with around 130,000 employed in over 4,000 establishments across the country.

The processed food industry recorded a turnover of Rs. 365b in 2008 and there has been a marked growth since then with the expansion of the tourism industry.

Bathiudeen said that post-harvest damage has been minimised to a great extent with the introduction of new processing and packaging technology.

"Exhibitions of this nature and awareness programs on processing and packaging will help reduce the post-harvest loss", he said.

Despite the use of new processing and packaging methods the post-harvest loss is still around 40 percent incurring a substantial loss to the food industry of the country.

According to reports, a significant number of Sri Lankan export items is rejected annually due to poor quality packaging.

Managing Director Trans Continental Packaging and Commodities (Pvt) Ltd., Thusith Wijesinghe said that the lack of laboratory facilities and inadequate research are reasons for many Sri Lankan products to be rejected in the global market.

"To compete in the global market processing and packaging one has to meet international standards", he said.

With consumers becoming more health conscious today the need for quality packaging has increased. Exports to Europe require food safety certifications.

President, Sri Lanka Food Processors Association, Rohantha De Fonseka said that this year's event will comprise over 300 exhibitors from 15 countries exhibiting around 1,000 products and services.

The Profood and Propack exhibition will be held for the 10th consecutive year from August 26 to 28.

LF

 

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

www.lakwasi.com
www.defence.lk
Donate Now | defence.lk
www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk
LANKAPUVATH - National News Agency of Sri Lanka
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL)
www.army.lk
www.news.lk
 

| News | Editorial | Finance | Features | Political | Security | Sports | Spectrum | Montage | Impact | World | Obituaries | Junior | Magazine |

 
 

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2011 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor