Fruit and vegetable exports to hit US $ 500m mark

The Export Development Board (EDB) called upon the export community to register and enlist in its database.

"Some non-registered exporters, unaware of the procedure have created a bad reputation regarding Sri Lanka. It is time all Lankan exporters register with the EDB," said EDB Director General Sujatha Weerakoone at an awareness program on 'How to Export Quality Fruit and Vegetable to the EU Region' at the EDB last week.

Recently, the European Commission, Director General of Health and Consumers told officials of the National Plant Quarantine Services of Sri Lanka that some consignments of fresh fruits and vegetables exported to the EU and Switzerland were contaminated with pests. It was found that of the random checks on 350 fresh fruit and vegetable consignments that entered EU from 2011 to date, 292 were contaminated with pests.

Due to this, the EDB, with the National Plant Quarantine Service, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce organised the awareness program. Over 50 exporters were present.

"During the recent meeting with the Treasury facilitated by the EDB, Sri Lanka's fruit and vegetable exporters pledged to contribute to make the sector a half-a-billion dollar industry in future," she said.

"They look forward to policy direction and shaping from the Government, rather than funding. Moreover, most fruit and vegetable exporters are SME-oriented and down the value chain, there make a significant contribution to employment and farmer society and clusters, which has a direct impact on the economy. Due to this, this sector is important despite low export volumes," the Director General said.

She said, "It is time all Lankan exporters register with EDB. As per regulations gazetted in August 1985, all exporters in Sri Lanka must register with the EDB. Anyone exporting any article of commercial value from Sri Lanka on or after August 1, 1985, should register with the EDB."

"This registration is free and not a hindrance to the exporter, but rather, brings some benefits. The exporters could build a rapport with the topmost export body, the EDB, they can enter the EDB database, and from time to time, they could receive relevant export information," Weerakoone said.

"None of the exporters of contaminated consignments were registered with the EDB. The few non-registered exporters, unaware of procedures, have brought a bad reputation regarding Sri Lanka," she said.

As per Customs Department data, 3,650 exporters of all scales were active in 2013 including EDB registered and non-registered exporters. As at July 3, 2014, 170 such active Lankan exporters have been reported (EDB registered and non-registered).

Interestingly, EDB statistics indicate that 227,853 companies, people and SMEs have been registered with EDB as exporters since August 1985, getting into active exports at one time or another. Therefore, the overall number of exporters since 1985 August (EDB registered and non-registered) could be much higher.

OIC, Plant Quarantine Station, Sea Port, Colombo, Ms Champika Hewage outlined quarantine procedures adopted in Sri Lanka for fruits and vegetables.

"When you export these products to markets such as the EU, showing export standards alone may not be enough. Sometimes you even need to show that you have followed good agricultural practices. Based on your type of product, we can help by teaching you the necessary steps," she said.

Around 65% of Sri Lanka's fruit and vegetable exports are to the Maldives and the Middle East. In 2013, Sri Lanka exported vegetables valued at US $19.69 and while fruit exports which was US $ 19 million in 2012 increased to US $ an increase of 118%.

Vegetable exports too increased from US $15.06 million in 2012 to $19.69 in 2013.