‘Lanka food exports surge by 41% to $ 95 m’
Sri Lanka’s processed food exports rose by 41% topping $ 95 million
in 2011. Both food and packaging sectors in Sri Lanka have seen rapid
modernization and expansion in recent times. As a result of many
concessions that have been offered by the government to these sectors
exports from the Processed Food industry last year stood at 94.84
million US dollars which was a considerable increase of 41 percent in
2011 compared to 2010,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and
Commerce of Sri Lanka addressing the inauguration event of the ‘Profood
Propack International Exhibition 2012’ at the BMICH, Colombo.
|
ProFood Pro Pack and Agbiz organized by Sri Lanka Food
Processors Association together with Lanka Exhibition &
Conference
Services (Pvt) Ltd., concluded yesterday. Here housewives
purchasing maize from a stall. Picture Saliya Rupersinghe. |
Minister Bathiudeen said: “Sri Lanka processed food and confectionery
industry is reaching the up market segment in exports.
To gain a high price at the export market and also to get a premium
price from the health conscious customer, attractive and informative
packaging is paramount. To this end, the food sector joining with the
packaging sector is a welcome sign.”
This years’ theme was “From the Farm to the Kitchen”. The exhibition,
facilitated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, had only 46
companies taking part when it began in 2001, and this year it had 217
firms participating from Sri Lanka, India, Canada Italy, and Pakistan.
There was also an SME pavilion for the growing importance of SMEs and a
special pavilion by food and packaging industry of Kerala, India.
In 2011, food and grocery sales dominated global retail sales sector
and the food sector was the key driver in global retail sales which
stood at 14,335 billion US dollars.
More importantly, 2011 growth was also led by Asia and Pacific
regions. Both food and packaging sectors in Sri Lanka have seen rapid
modernization and expansion in recent times.
Eports from the Processed Food industry last year stood at 94.84
million US dollars which was a considerable increase of 41 percent in
2011 compared to 2010. In 2010, it grew by 31 percent.
Sri Lanka’s growing food and beverage industry sector has now more
than 4,400 establishments with close to 132,000 people engaged in it.
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was the Guest of Honour of
the occasion. |
