Fruit, vegetable export revenue to hit Rs. 1 b mark

Lalin Fernandopulle reporting from Male

Revenue from fresh and processed fruits, vegetables and frozen sea food exports will be around Rs. one billion this year, said International Foodstuff Group of Companies (IFCO) Chairman and Past President of the National Chamber of Exporters, Sarath de Silva at the Hotel Asia Exhibition in the Maldives recently.

He said that the revenue from processed fruits, vegetables and frozen sea food has been around Rs 800 million. The company exports around 400 MT of fruits vegetables and seafood a month.

“We export fresh fruits and vegetables to the Gulf region which is a major market for our products. Pineapples, dragon fruits, guava, melon, rambuttan, banana and mangoes are some of the fruits that we export,” Silva said.

He said that there is a big demand for dragon fruits in the local and international markets. We hope to expand our exports in new markets.

The company exports around 195 items to seven countries in the Middle East, four in South Asia, Thailand, Japan Taiwan and Singapore.

“We are expanding our 2,000-acre plantations in Badulla, Sooriyawewa, Embilipitiya, Naula and Anuradhapura. IFCO, a BOI company has been in the export industry for the past 30 years,” he said.Apart from fruits and vegetables the company also exports coconut, dried fish and food products, building material, furniture and fittings.

IFCO is a member of the National Chamber of Exporters. De Silva said that the company will supply quality fruits, vegetables and food products and enhance foreign exchange earnings to the country.

“We export a large quantity of our products to the Maldives and we are confident that participation in the Hotel Asia Exhibition will help boost our exports. Lack of adequate production is a drawback to exports”, he said.

IFCO is participating in the exhibition for the 11th time. Sri Lanka produces over 800,000 MT of fruits and vegetables annually and exports fresh and processed varieties to many countries.

Around 90 percent of the fresh products are exported to the Middle East and the Maldives and around 98 percent of the processed products are exported to Europe. Around 80 varieties of fruits and vegetables are grown in Sri Lanka in varied agro-climatic areas.