Ornamental fish export revenue surpasses $ 7 m
By Lalin Fernandopulle
The demand for ornamental fish has increased with its revenue
surpassing $ 7 million, said a major ornamental fish exporter at an
event to record Sri Lanka winning 30 awards at the recently concluded
Aquarama 2013 ornamental fish competition in Singapore.
He said that revenue from ornamental fish exports last year was $
7.52 million and added that the industry targets a higher revenue this
year with more fish breeders showing a keen interest to enter the
ornamental fish export market.“The ornamental fish industry has a bright
future. The lack of new species is a major hindrance to boost exports,”
a fish breeder said.Ornamental fish breeders have called upon the
government to support the industry and encourage more fish breeders to
create a vibrant export market. Fish breeders said that adding new
varieties with more export incentives for breeders will help enhance
export revenue.
They said that the export of ornamental fish is a lucrative industry
and that policy makers should focus on developing the sector.“Foreign
buyers order large stocks, but we can only provide half the quantity
they order due to the lack of species,” a fish exporter said.
Seventeen Sri Lankan fish breeders participated in the Aquarama, one
of the largest ornamental fish exhibitions held biannually in Singapore.
The competition comprised 10 major ornamental fish exporting countries.
Sri Lanka was ranked second in the competition.
Sri Lanka's export revenue dipped by eight percent in the first
quarter this year. Export income declined in recent years partly due to
low external demand. The Export Development Board (EDB) will draw up a
strategic plan to boost export revenue, said the new chairman of the
EDB, Bandula Egodage.
He said that the ornamental fish export sector has huge potential to
be a major revenue spinner. “We plan to boost the export industry,” he
said.
Sri Lanka's export revenue is currently around $ 10 billion. The EDB
targets an export revenue of $ 20 billion by 2020. |
