Sri Lankan spices seek global branding

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

There is a need for Sri Lankan spices to be branded in the international market and efforts will be made to capture niche markets through this initiative.

Sri Lankan spices have maintained its momentum in the world export demand and were able to sustain the growth in the spice industry. However, Sri Lanka's geographical indication needs to be regularized nationally, regionally and internationally.

The booming global spice market also enables good opportunities to our spices to provide quality spices at competitive prices, Spices and Allied Products Producers' and Traders' Association (SAPPTA) Chairman Christopher Fernando told Daily News Business.

It is necessary to take measures for legal protection as an immediate requirement because it gives protection to prevent deception and higher prices through price premiums.

"There is a significant gap between the export market demand and the local supply both in terms of quality and quantity. Therefore, it is essential to get the initiatives in order to add value to our spice production," he said.

The Association seeks support from the Government to encourage the Plantation companies to grow spice cultivations in their lands. It is important that the Government to take quick action to arrest the issue of pilferages of agricultural products by introducing rules of deterrence against theft.

The Association requests the Government to support with new planting and replanting subsidy schemes and financial assistance for the processors especially who are willing to undertake value additions for spices. A proposal to set up a Cinnamon Training Centre had been included in the Export Development Board 2011 budget proposals.

The spice garden concept could make a tourist attraction and funding support for a Cinnamon Processing Centre, a Training Centre and a Spice Garden in the Ratnapura district could attract tourists for eco-tourism.It is essential to have skilled peelers for cinnamon cultivation. The Association seeks support to have high breed planting materials and financial support to develop infrastructure facilities for our processing centres, he said.

"We are looking at markets in the European Union for our value added products and GI protected spices as well countries such as Maxico, Gychillie Islands, Brazil, Madagascar and Egypt are the best markets," he said.

The spice industry has shown significant contribution to the economy by way of exporting a variety of spices to the world. There are a number of key market players, major producers, whole sellers in the industry.

The industry could generate more employment and improve eco-tourism with the expectation of increased production in the next few years.

"Sri Lanka is famous for its spices that are widely used in industries like pharmaceuticals, perfumery spice oils and cosmetic," Fernando said.