Good export market for coconut products

by Naalir Jamaldeen

The Coconut Development Authority (CDA) has launched a program in Bomiriya, Kaduwela to produce activated carbon from burnt coconut shells, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister A.P. Jagath Pushpakumara said.

He said that teams will be deployed on a contract basis in each Divisional Secretariat Division in the Colombo district to collect coconut shells. An officer from the CDA will supervise the production activities.

Awareness campaigns will be conducted to impress on the people the importance of this project, the Minister said.

CDA chairman Aruna Gunawardena said that Rs. 9.7 billion in foreign exchange has been earned by exporting activated carbon.

The Coconut Development and Janatha Estates Development Ministry has also started cultivating coconut from 2011 till 2016. Four million coconut trees were planted in 2011.

Sri Lanka's pure coconut oil has a good market in many foreign countries, as it has been found good is for health, the Minister said.

The coconut water is exported in the form of an energetic drink. There is a big demand for Sri Lankan coconut water in the international market. A large number of investors had come forward to invest in this sector.