Moves to double fruits, vegetable export value

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Fruit and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association has taken measures to double the export value and volume within the next two years, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane said, participating in the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Association held recently at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo.

He also said that it is necessary to reduce the post harvest losses and promote value addition technologies among farmers to get maximum value for fruits and vegetables, that are exported.

Export values of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables was Rs. 685 million in 2010 which was Rs. 6.7 million in 1977. The minister also said that fruit and Vegetable exporters play a significant role in the economic development of the country.

Sri Lanka has an excess of vegetables and fruits. The government’s food production programmes such as Api Wavamu Rata Nagamu, Divi Neguma were the main factors for this growth.

Fruits and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association Chairman S. Gnanaskandan said that the fruit and vegetables export industry in Sri Lanka is over 30 years old.

According to the statistics of the Export Development Board the export quantity of fruits and vegetables in 2006 was 23Mts and it was 57.1 Mts in 2010. This shows a 135 percent increase.

The Export value in 2006 was US $ 20 million and in 2010 it was US $ 43 million. It shows a 115 percent increase.

He also said that the main vision of the Association is to enhance export volume and value in the next five years.

Over 100,000 persons are directly given self employment opportunities and also the fruit and vegetable sector brings more foreign exchange to the country.

Fruits and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association Vice Chairman Annas Junaid, Vice Chairperson Indra Malwatte, General Secretary Zutaish Hashim, members of the association and many other distinguished people participated at the occasion.