Sri Lanka’s poultry industry has secured a significant breakthrough with China opening its market for direct imports of poultry products, including chicken heads and feet, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced.
This development follows a request from the industry, which will now have the opportunity to directly export these by-products, boosting foreign exchange earnings for the country.
The Cabinet approved the proposal on January 6 to facilitate poultry exports to China, which includes health and quarantine procedures to meet export standards.
This move comes after years of advocacy and diplomatic efforts by the Sri Lankan government to overcome the barriers preventing access to the vast Chinese market. As part of the agreement, China has removed restrictions on Sri Lankan chicken, eggs, and pineapples, which is a significant win for exporters in these sectors.
The breakthrough marks the culmination of years of efforts by the previous government, which first initiated steps to secure access for Sri Lankan poultry products to China.
Under the leadership of ex President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the then government prioritized eliminating trade obstacles by engaging in high-level discussions with Chinese authorities.
These efforts aimed at aligning Sri Lankan poultry exports with China’s stringent import standards, with the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Ministry playing a central role in facilitating the negotiations.
The importance of these earlier efforts cannot be overstated. Senior officials from the previous administration, despite facing challenges in the process, succeeded in creating the foundation for Sri Lanka’s eventual poultry export approval.
Their work has enabled the current government to capitalize on the fruits of these efforts and bring the poultry industry closer to reaching its full potential in the Chinese market.
Ajith Gunasekara, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Association of Animal Production, hailed the move as a major victory for the industry, pointing out that direct access to China had long been requested by industry stakeholders.
“This is a milestone after years of effort,” he said, emphasizing that access to the world’s largest poultry market will significantly boost profitability for Sri Lankan companies.
Sri Lanka’s bird flu-free status provides a unique competitive edge for its poultry products, making them particularly attractive in international markets. With the continued support of institutions like the Department of Animal Production and Health and the Export Development Board, the industry is poised for significant growth.
The next goal is to expand exports beyond by-products, with plans to penetrate the Chinese market for chicken meat in the future.
