Sri Lanka is preparing to strengthen organic cultivation of fruits and vegetables in response to the European Union's upcoming sustainability regulations for agricultural imports. The EU is developing new legislation that will require exporters to meet stricter sustainability standards to maintain access to European markets in the coming years.
Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe said the country is prioritising organic production as part of its export strategy. "The current global market for organic agricultural products stands at around US$150 billion and is projected to rise to US$650 billion by 2034. If Sri Lanka is to capture even a small share of this growing market, we must develop our organic farming sector. The EDB has already intervened in this regard," he told Daily Mirror.
Wijesinghe noted that around half of the global demand for organic produce will come from EU member states and the United Kingdom. He said Sri Lanka currently has about 20,000 farmers cultivating 28,300 hectares of land organically for export purposes. The EDB aims to increase this area under the national export development action plan to align with future EU requirements and international market trends.
The initiative is part of a broader move to adapt to global sustainability policies and promote environmentally responsible farming. Organic farming is defined as an agricultural method that avoids synthetic inputs and relies on natural processes and substances.
The European Commission has set a target of converting 25% of the EU's agricultural land to organic production by 2030, a policy expected to influence supply chains in exporting countries. Sri Lanka's plan to expand its organic farming base seeks to ensure compliance with these evolving import standards while positioning the country to benefit from growing international demand for certified organic produce.
Source: Daily Mirror Online
