Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Sundaralingam Pradeep said that Sri Lanka’s coconut industry generated US$614 million in export revenue during the first half of this year, up from US$530 million during the corresponding period last year.
Addressing the Sri Lanka Coconut Awards 2026 organised by the Coconut Development Authority, Deputy Minister Pradeep said the growth reflected strong performance across the sector. Chairman and CEO of the Export Development Board (EDB) Mangala Wijesinghe while addressing the ceremony said kernel-based products accounted for the largest share of export earnings, generating US$317 million. Fibre-based products contributed US$150 million, while shell-based products brought in US$135 million.
Industry representatives said total coconut export revenue had risen by 43% compared with 2024, with shell-based products recording the highest incremental growth, followed by fibre and kernel-based products.
However, they stressed that the industry’s focus should extend beyond increasing turnover to maintaining profitability, improving productivity and enhancing value addition.
Sri Lanka’s coconut industry has set a target of generating US$2.5 billion in export revenue by 2030. Wijesinghe noted that Sri Lanka continued to lag behind major coconut-producing countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia, which recorded significantly higher export earnings.
Speakers at the event emphasised the need to ensure a steady supply of quality coconuts amid declining yields caused by climate change and pest attacks. They also called for increased investment in value-added production, productivity improvements and coconut replanting programmes. The industry further highlighted the importance of strengthening local testing facilities, traceability systems, sustainability practices and environmental, social and governance compliance to meet increasingly stringent regulatory requirements in developed export markets.
Source : Daily News