Nutritious soft drinks from coconut water

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

‘The Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Ministry has taken measures to produce soft drinks and food products made out of coconut water with the support of private sector companies, said Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Jagath Pushpakumara.

‘About 50,000 to 60,000 liters of coconut water is wasted daily in Sri Lanka. The ministry plans to export soft drinks and other food products made out of coconut water within a very short period, he said. According to private companies who export coconut related food products there is a huge demand for such products in foreign markets specially, European countries.

The minister also said that the ministry plans to promote these soft drinks and food products in rural areas by providing the necessary facilities to rural folk with the objective of uplifting their living standards. The government cannot indulge in the export process alone.

Hence private sector support is very much essential, he said.