Fruit and vegetable export revenue up 20%

By Ananda Agalakada

The fruit and vegetable processing and export industry earned US$ 32.5 million in 2012 due to the untiring efforts of the members of the Association, said Export Development Board, Chairman, Bandula Egodage..

Egodage was speaking at the 32nd AGM of the Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association on Wednesday.

Fruit and vegetable processors and exporters have increased export revenue by 20 percent compared to the past year, he said.

Secretary, Industry and Commerce Ministry, Anura Siriwardena was present.

Chairman, Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association, Annes Junaid said during the past 32 years the Association has contributed immensely to the rural economy.

He said although the quantity was small the impact of the Association on the rural economy was immense.

Junaid said that their main products - fruits and vegetables came from the rural economy.

He said fruits and vegetables are sourced from all parts of the country. While catering to the uplift of the rural economy they also earn valuable foreign exchange. Local value addition to the products was also high.

In terms of value addition their industry could not be compared to other industries because their products were from the rural economy, he said.

The Association is working hard to achieve export targets set for 2015 and 2020.

However, he said there were some impending issues which needed to be addressed by all concerned to drive the industry forward.

For this production should be increased and this was where state intervention was needed.

According Junaid they recognise and respect the Divineguma program because it has brought about some sort of support to their members and the industry by stabilising prices by supplying what the local market needs.

If Thailand and Malaysia could get their fruits and vegetables to Europre and the USA there was no reason why Sri Lanka could not do so.