Boost for cinnamon exports to EU

By Manjula FERNANDO

European Union has granted Sri Lanka's request for the use of Sulphur Dioxide in processing cinnamon. EU is an important buyer of 'Ceylon Cinnamon' and between 5-10 percent of the cinnamon exports have been to the EU region in the recent past.

Since July 2004 Sri Lanka has encountered problems with a number of consignments of "Ceylon Cinnamon" exported to the European region on grounds that consignments contained Sulphur Dioxide (SO2).

The decision by the EU will be huge boost to cinnamon exporters, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Brussels said.

The cinnamon industry has traditional practices in cinnamon processing and the use of SO2 in fumigation has been known to the industry for decades. Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) fumigation keeps the hygienic quality of the cinnamon and it functions as a preservative, anti-browning agent, and helps in the fixation of the characteristic golden yellow colour of Ceylon cinnamon.

The Department of Commerce in consultation with the Spices Traders' Association, Department of Agriculture and the Trade Representation at Geneva, granted Sri Lanka's request through the World Trade Organisation. There is no accepted standard established for SO2 in cinnamon processing.

The International Standard approves the use of 150 mg/kg for sulphites (including sulphur dioxide) in food categories herbs and spices.

Following continued lobbying by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels, the EU has granted Sri Lanka's request for recognition of the CODEX standard on SO2 for cinnamon processing.

Hence the Commission amended their earlier Directive authorising the use of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in Cinnamon at a maximum level of 150 mg/kg.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) known in trade as Ceylon Cinnamon has been one of the most important spices since the early evolution of trade. Cinnamon represents the third largest export agricultural crop of Sri Lanka. It supports the livelihood of over 70,000 smallholder cinnamon growers and provides employment to over 350,000 people. Sri Lanka is the single largest exporter of true cinnamon in the world accounting for 85% of the world demand for cinnamon.