Sri Lanka is seeking to strengthen its spice and export-agriculture sector by connecting farmers and entrepreneurs to engage directly with foreign markets, while developing region-based export crop hubs, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation K D Lal Kantha said at the Sri Lankan Spice Expo 2026 held recently in Kandy, according to the Department of Government Information (DGI) on Friday (18).
Addressing the event, Lal Kantha said the Department of Export Agriculture is working to bring farmers and entrepreneurs together to strengthen the spice and export-agriculture sector. Under the ‘Apanayana Krushi Mahima’ (Export Agriculture Glory) initiative, the government aims to give a distinct identity to specific geographical areas by introducing two export crops to selected regions, creating areas centred on those crops and allowing others to connect with the networks once established. The initiative also seeks to build the sector by enabling farmers and entrepreneurs to engage directly with foreign markets without intermediaries, while the government works to secure foreign market opportunities through foreign ambassadors, aiming to build a better economy, he said, according to DGI.
Reflecting the broader focus of the Expo on strengthening the sector, the event also aimed to resolve issues related to spice production and marketing, share business experiences of successful entrepreneurs, and acquire new technical knowledge to further boost the sector, DGI said.
He stated, according to the DGI, the financial standing through the spice sector is strong, compared to those cultivating other crops, where farmers and entrepreneurs involved in export crop cultivation are economically robust.
According to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), export earnings from Spices and Concentrates increased by 14.32%, reaching $ 280.49 million during January–July 2026. This growth was primarily supported by the strong performance of Cinnamon, with export earnings increasing by 29.75% during the period. The strong performance of key spice products highlights the continued global demand for Sri Lanka’s premium spice exports and the sector’s contribution to overall export growth.
Roughly around 90% of spice production is exported, with cinnamon and black pepper accounting for the largest volumes. At present, approximately 80–85% of export volume is sold in whole form, while around 10–15% is directed towards extracts, oleoresins, and other value-added segments, cited by The Daily Morning.
In the past, the department was known as the Department of Minor Export Crops. But now, the ‘minor’ label is gone. The sector requires more entrepreneurs to step up and take on challenges to create an economically robust economy in the country, Lal Kantha stated, according to the DGI.