Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries in Sri Lanka is responding to global demand for king coconuts by taking initiatives to cultivate it as a prominent export crop.
Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, highlighted the substantial demand for Sri Lankan king coconuts in the United Arab Emirates, with 200 containers exported monthly, selling at the equivalent of 2,500 rupees in coastal regions.
Recognising the uniqueness and superior taste of Sri Lankan king coconuts, the plan is to brand them as “Sri Lanka Sweet Coconut” for global recognition. The Coconut Development Board and the Coconut Development Authority will collaborate on this branding effort.
The establishment of a regulatory system by the Coconut Development Authority has increased the value of a king coconut to about 0.8 dollars (approximately 296 rupees) at UAE ports.
Sri Lanka is currently exporting 252,000 king coconuts per week to the UAE, generating an impressive income of 2 billion rupees last year, with an expected income of 6 billion rupees this year.
To further support this thriving industry, a king coconut export model village was recently established in Muruthawela.
As part of a pilot project, 1,500 coconut saplings were distributed to families, emphasising the government’s commitment to expanding and promoting the cultivation of king coconuts for international markets.
