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Bid to boost cinnamon exports

by Kahawa special correspondent

"Trade relations between Sri Lanka, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Gautamala and Argentina will be more meaningful, in order to develop and improve the cinnamon industry in Sri Lanka, and as such, I will propose the need to begin consul general level relations with those countries, to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Affairs minister shortly."

Hema kumara Nanayakkara, Minister for Agriculture Research and Productivity said on Saturday at Galle, when he met a delegation of the "Sri Lanka Cinnamon Association" to discuss matters related to the downfall of the industry, at Royal Dutch Hotel in Galle.

The Minister said so in response to a pointing out by the Association chairman, Saradha de Silva.

De Silva said, that, he had visited all three countries, and knew of the need of Sri Lanka cinnamon in those countries, away from "Cashia" cinnamon they now use. He said the cashia cinnamon is a low quality cinnamon exported to those countries from Indonesia and Malaysia.

He pointed out, that, cashia was bulked with Sri Lanka cinnamon in those markets.

'Cashia' is not a member of the 'cinnamon-ceylonica' family he said.

"Cinnamon income is in the fifth place among other sources of foreign incomes to Sri Lanka" he pointed out.

Altogether there are 25000 hectares of cinnamon in Sri Lanka specially in the south, and the Galle district alone is equipped with over 10,000 hectares" he pointed out.

Annual income to Sri Lanka through cinnamon export stands at 4 billion rupees" he said. We as cinnamon exporters would be able to increase the income further, if there is a government look out on the development and improvement of the industry, unlike previous governments" he said.

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