In an effort to bolster export income through the unique appeal of Sri Lankan king coconut water, exporters have concurred on setting the price at Rs. 2,000 per unit. This decision was disclosed by the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, during the inauguration of the second king coconut cultivation village aimed at exports near Muruthawela Raluwa. The initiative follows the establishment of the first export-oriented village in Pahala Muruthawela, with plans to plant ten thousand king coconut saplings across these locations.
The demand for Sri Lankan king coconut is notably high in the United Arab Emirates and several other countries, with weekly exports reaching 252,000 units to the UAE alone. The export of this native Sri Lankan crop generated Rs. 6 billion in revenue in 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Despite attempts by other countries to cultivate king coconut, Sri Lanka retains a monopoly in the global market due to the unmatched taste of its native variety.
Highlighting the global appeal of the Sri Lankan king coconut, Minister Amaraweera revealed plans to promote it under the "Sri Lanka Sweet Coconut" brand. He emphasized the country's monopoly in the market and the internal competition among local businessmen, with two hundred containers being shipped to Dubai monthly. The minister's remarks underscored the potential of king coconut as a leading export crop, despite current supplies meeting less than two percent of global demand. Consequently, the Coconut Cultivation Board has been instructed to expand cultivation across Sri Lanka.
[ Rs. 100 = €0,30 ]
Source: dailynews.lk