Fruity Lanka promotes products from fresh fruits

Irangika RANGE

FRUIT PRODUCTS: Fruity Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was founded last year to introduce to the locals the real taste of fresh and natural fruit and converting it to value added products. The main objective of Fruity Lanka is to popularise 100 percent chemical free fruit products to Sri Lankans utilising local based resources.

The company's owner M. W. Lakshman Perera said since the company was set up, it has shown a rapid growth within a short period. The products are totally chemical free and it has a demand locally.

Setting up the production house in Ratmalana, Lakshman waded into the deep end step by step to hit the gold. But not alone, his sister Sumithra was with him every step of the way.

Working as a Production Assistant for 10 years at the Maliban in Kirulapana and the gaining quality controlling experience, and working in a fruit and vegetable company in Rajagiriya for one year, he wanted to start his own business.

Studying courses at the Sri Lanka Institute of Standards and the Institute of Chemistry, he improved the knowledge to promote productivity and quality.

Establishing the fruit juice processing machinery at the production house, he started to manufacture jam and distributed it to the market.

With the high demand for it, he has set up the outlet at Ratmalana.

Today the company manufactures jam under varieties of pineapple, wood apple and mixed fruit. It also manufactures cordials, chutney, pickle, sauce and fruit drinks.

Fresh raw material is obtained from suppliers in villages and it is a good income generating avenue for them.

He said that natural products are the new trend in the local and the international market. Flavourful and eye-appealing, fruits carry a healthy image. They combine high concentrations of fibre and vitamins with an often hefty dose of natural sugars.

Fruits contain components that in themselves can function in a variety of applications.

A manufacturer's desire for "natural" ingredients drives the use of fruit concentrates and derivatives, which do not interfere with low-fat or no-cholesterol formulation goals. Fruit ingredients are acting as sweeteners, acidifiers, preservatives, colours and flavours as the trend to go "beyond natural" develops.

The company strongly believes that research and scientific capacity building are fundamental for product development and international competition.

"This is an Industrial Development Board registered project and projecting itself into a trajectory for a long term development during the next few years. We will improve the productivity and quality standards further to obtain SLSI standards.

The Company is doing further research to add value to local natural fruits. We have concentrated to expand the market by manufacturing new products using local fruits. It will introduce Mosa jelly to the market in near future.

It expects to supply products to the forces while expanding more outlets throughout the country.

Today the products are available in major markets and response is very positive.

The company would increase its workforce by setting more machinery to increase production in the near future.