Lanka earns more from fruit and veggie exports

Sri Lanka’s earnings from exports of fruits and vegetables during 2014 have increased, compared to the previous year’s income, a study conducted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce revealed.

According to the study, titled ‘Fruit and Vegetable Sector Statistical Analysis 2014’, earnings from fruit exports have recorded the biggest jump, accounting for a 51% rise, while earnings from vegetable exports had gone up by 25% during the same period.

Fruit exports generated Rs. 34.02 billion during 2014, a huge jump from Rs. 14.96 billion earned in the previous year. Vegetable exports earned Rs. 6.09 billion during the same period, compared to Rs. 3.70 billion a year ago.

Exports of fruits from Sri Lanka to countries such as the UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Maldives and Germany had gone up during the year under review.

These countries are also the biggest buyers of fruits produced in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s export earnings from vegetables mainly come from markets such as the Maldives, UAE and UK, which are the biggest buyers of Lankan vegetables.