In an effort to fortify Sri Lanka's stature as a premier exporter of king coconuts, exporters have committed to maintaining prices at 2000 rupees per fruit, as announced by Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mahinda Amaraweera.
The decision emerges in the backdrop of plans to amplify king coconut cultivation, highlighted by the inauguration of the second king coconut cultivation village near Murutawela Raluwa village.
Minister Amaraweera presided over the inauguration ceremony, which signified the establishment of the second king coconut cultivation village, following the success of the initial village in Pahala Muruthawela last year. The initiative seeks to address the escalating demand for Sri Lankan king coconuts, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and other global markets.
With approximately 252,000 king coconuts exported weekly to the UAE, the industry amassed a substantial income of two billion rupees in 2022, with projections soaring to six billion rupees in 2023. Sri Lanka's dominance in the global king coconut market remains unchallenged due to the unmatched taste and quality of its produce.
During the ceremony, Minister Amaraweera distributed 1600 king coconut saplings to local farmers, underscoring the imperative of expanding cultivation efforts to meet global demand. He emphasized the distinctiveness of Sri Lankan king coconuts, outlining plans to elevate its recognition worldwide under the Sri Lanka Sweet Coconut brand.
Underlining the importance of maintaining competitive pricing, Minister Amaraweera disclosed that exporters had pledged to uphold prices at 2000 rupees per fruit. Presently, Sri Lanka exports roughly 200 containers of king coconuts monthly to the Dubai market, fetching premium prices compared to global counterparts.
Despite promising prospects, Minister Amaraweera acknowledged the necessity for expansive cultivation endeavors to address burgeoning demand. He urged the Coconut Cultivation Board to lead initiatives aimed at expanding king coconut cultivation nationwide.
