Issuing a statement, the Deputy Minister said this marks a significant increase from USD 800 million recorded in 2024, representing an annual growth of over 40 percent. He described the achievement as a major milestone for Sri Lanka’s coconut industry.
However, he noted that the main challenge in further expanding the sector is the productivity of coconut production. Recognizing this issue, the government has initiated several structural reforms in 2025 aimed at increasing crop productivity and expanding the extent of coconut cultivation. The benefits of these measures, he said, are expected to be visible only in the medium to long term.
In the short term, the Deputy Minister emphasized that one of Sri Lanka’s key priorities in 2025 was to change domestic consumption patterns. Measures highlighted include promoting more efficient household-level use of coconuts, including water, shells, and husks; encouraging the use of alternative products such as flour and milk for daily consumption; and adopting simple technologies to reduce domestic wastage.
He added that these combined efforts are expected to support the sustainable growth of the coconut industry while balancing export expansion with domestic needs.
