Sri Lanka anticipates importing spices for reprocessing and re-export under a control mechanism whilst protecting the local farmers, The Daily Morning Business learns. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning Business, Export Agriculture at the Export Development Board (EDB) Director Janak Sanjeewa Badugama stated: “If huge markets like China opens up, the country's production of spices is marginal to cater to the international markets since we don't have enough quantities.”

For  instance, Sri Lanka’s tea is exported in bulk to Saudi Arabia, where they reprocess it there and export it to the international market. Similarly our locally grown spices are exported in bulk to countries like India and Mexico, where they reprocess it there and export it to the international market.

Badugama pointed out that the country definitely has to think about bigger revenues; therefore, they need to capture huge markets. 

“We must figure out how to obtain the raw materials if we are to investigate the sizable global market. For instance, Sri Lanka can import raw materials from India,  reprocess and re export,” he stated.

However, According to EDB, the Government and private sector need to establish specific mechanisms and processes on how to control and monitor these things, which is significant.

“We should not discourage the local growers, but simultaneously, they should match with the import quality, which is currently hard for them due to a lack of technology, effective processing methods since they are used to the  home gardening concepts,” he implied. 

Furthermore, he added that all the imported raw materials must go through reprocessing and value addition is a must. 

“There are certain regulations, such as a minimum of 35%, 50% value additions,  which will help to expand the profit and bring fame to the country amongst other countries ,” he explained.