By: Staff Writer
August 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s seafood export industry, a vital contributor to the national economy, is regaining momentum following recent setbacks. In 2023, the country exported seafood worth USD 288.62 million, and authorities now aim to build on this figure by increasing local fish harvests and bolstering infrastructure.
After a sharp dip in fish harvests due to adverse weather conditions, the sector is showing signs of recovery. Officials are optimistic that consistent supply will return, supporting both domestic nutrition goals and foreign exchange earnings through exports.
Fish remains a critical protein source, particularly for rural communities and vulnerable groups. In line with this, the Ceylon Fisheries Corporation (CFC) is actively promoting fish consumption to combat malnutrition. It has launched initiatives to provide high-quality sea fish at affordable prices, especially in major urban and semi-urban areas, including Colombo and Kandy. Mobile sales trucks are now serving remote regions to ensure accessibility.
To further enhance distribution, CFC plans to acquire small Bolero-type cooler trucks suited for navigating narrow rural roads in provinces such as Sabaragamuwa and Central. This move comes amid rising local demand and logistical challenges in reaching isolated markets.
A notable success is the revival of the domestic canned fish industry. With imports now halted, 16 local manufacturers — including a facility formerly operated by CFC in Galle — have stepped up production. In 2024, local factories produced 11,200 metric tons of canned fish, supplying a significant portion of the roughly 200,000 cans consumed daily.
CFC plays a central role in the industry’s supply chain — from purchasing fish from local fishermen to providing cold storage and delivering to retail outlets across the island. The Corporation operates 20 regional fish purchasing centres in locations including Galle, Negombo, Jaffna, and Polonnaruwa. These are supported by dozens of satellite outlets and growing partnerships.
However, outdated cold storage infrastructure remains a concern. The blast freezers at CFC’s Mutwal headquarters, used to store large fish at -40°C, have been out of operation since 2017. Currently, the CFC leases blast freezing capacity from private firms to manage large fish storage. Plans are underway to modernize these facilities with government-backed funding and a request for long-term credit repayment over 20 years.
To counter seasonal price volatility, CFC has also begun stockpiling fish during peak seasons using two newly hired 40-foot freezer containers, releasing them at controlled prices during lean months.
CFC has teamed up with Lak Sathosa to distribute frozen fish through 27 additional outlets, and now operates a total of 90 outlets island-wide. Recently opened sales centres in Wadduwa and Polgahawela highlight its continuing expansion into underserved areas, with a focus on affordability and accessibility.
With infrastructure upgrades, expanded distribution, and government support, Sri Lanka’s seafood industry is positioning itself for a stronger, more sustainable future — both as an economic driver and a pillar of public nutrition.
