Spice industry benefits from tourism
Demand for fresh herbs and spices increase:
Sanjeevi Jayasuriya
The country’s spice industry could benefit from the expected influx
of tourists as its products could be made use to promote health tourism.
Spices and Allied Product Producers’ Association Chairman Christopher
Fernando told Daily News Business.
The spice and derivatives market is booming because their products
find applications in pharmaceutical, ayurvadic medicine, beverages and
hygiene products.
Countries in the Asian region are the major producers of a variety of
spices and Sri Lanka could position as a leading ayurvedic medicinal
supplier both locally and internationally, Fernando said.
“The spice industry has been witnessing phenomenon growth rates both
in the international and domestic markets. This is mainly due to the
change in the lifestyle pattern of consumers all over the world,” he
said.
|
Increased demand for Lankan spices |
There has been a substantial increase in use of fresh herbs and
spices due to an increased demand in the hotel industry. The change of
consumers towards leading a healthy lifestyle has increased the use of
herbs and natural spices for natural flavouring.
The use of spice derivatives like essential oils are being widely
used internationally in food and beverage industries for flavouring and
fragrances. This market provides a good opportunity for Sri Lanka.
The global demand of spices has increased due to an increase in
demand and consumption of ethnic food, a sharp growth in the processed
food consumption and an increase in the demand for natural fragrances
for various health therapies.
“Our endeavour is to regain the lost leadership in the Asian region
in supplying spices. We can achieve major export status by exporting
cinnamon as we are the only true cinnamon producer in the world. Not
only cinnamon but also other varieties of spices are significant
contributors to the global spice trade as cinnamon, Fernanedo said.
A new strategy to increase productivity should be in place supported
by increase in the export volumes. The quality of local products is of
high standard and the country needs to maintain this level, he said. The
growers, producers, traders and exporters of spices need to have an
integrated action plan to increase foreign exchange. The spice industry
could be a vibrant industry in coming years with the proper
implementation of policies to support its growth.
The continuous demand for Sri Lankan spices in the global market
needs to be sustained with vigorous application of different dimensions
to support value addition. Measures to obtain geographical indication
for cinnamon is an encouragement for growers and we could concentrate
more on producing increased volumes. However, the Government needs to
take action to arrest pilferages of agricultural products, he said. |
