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Unprecedented increase in clove exports:
Big demand for Sri Lanka's spices in global market
Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA
Sri Lanka has the potential to become a leading spice and allied
product supplier in the global market as its products are of high
quality. Our products have a high demand internationally, said Chairman,
Spices and Allied Products Producers and Traders' Association (SAPPTA)
Karthik Ramachandran.
The value of exports of spices and allied products in 2008 showed a
marginal increase from 2007. Exports recorded 33,026 tonnes and Rs.
16,757 million in value in 2008 and in the corresponding period the
volume was 29,122 tonnes valued at Rs. 14,568 million. Cinnamon
accounted for 11,597 tonnes, the highest - valued at Rs. 8,504 million
in 2008.
The volume and value of clove exports registered an unprecedented
increase in 2008 recording 5,938 tonnes and Rs.3393 million compared to
1,965 tonnes and Rs. 985 million in 2007.
The country exports over 90 percent of its production and less than
10 percent is consumed locally. Over 70 percent are small scale
producers and they engage in home-gardening.
It is necessary to attract the plantation sector in large scale
production. Weather is the deciding factor in the cultivation process.
We could increase our production if favourable weather prevails. India
is our biggest competitor followed by Vietnam and Indonesia, he said.
There needs to be a mechanism to train youth in the industry related
job opportunities as there is a dearth in skilled jobs such as peelers
and pluckers. These jobs do not appeal to the younger generation and it
is a drawback for the growth of the industry, he said.
The Spice Council set up in 2004 works closely with industrialists to
solve this problem. Farmers in the South, especially the youth are
trained for specialized jobs.
This would help the industry to have the manpower, he said. The
Association's interests spans the complete range of spices including
arecanut, cardamom, cashew nuts, cinnamon, cloves, clove stems, cocoa
beans, coffee, essential oils, nutmeg, maize, pepper, garcinia, tamarind
and vanilla.
SAPPTA was set up 25 years ago to fill the vacuum of a voice for the
spices and allied industry. It has a network of 100 member associations
and is in the forefront to take the spice industry to the global market.
Among the services it offers are disseminating customs exports
statistics among the membership on a monthly basis, updating weekly
prices among the SAPPTA membership and Government departments, providing
information among members on seminars, workshops and exhibitions,
representing SAPPTA at other institutions such as the Ceylon Chamber of
Commerce, National Agri Business Council, the Exporters' Association of
Sri Lanka, Export Development Board and also at international agencies.
Spice auctions are conducted on a weekly basis at the Ceylon Chamber
of Commerce under the supervision of SAPPTA.
At a glance:
* Sri Lanka has the potential to become a leading supplier
* Cinnamon exports tops 11,590 tonnes
* Mechanism to train youth vital |
