Sri Lankan organic exporters could become strategic suppliers to the German market for organic food which is one of the fastest-growing markets worldwide and the largest one within the European Union (EU).
This was opined by Chief Delegate of Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka), Andreas Hergenröther, (AHK Sri Lanka), at a seminar in Jaffna hosted in collaboration with the German Agency of International Development Cooperation (GIZ), to raise awareness among potential exporters and industry representatives to increase export capacities of organic products to the EU.
Furthermore, he highlighted that the global market for organic food reached EURO 106 billion in 2019. Retail sales in the European Union (EU) were valued at EURO 41.4 billion. As the largest organic retail sales market in the EU, Germany accounted for EURO 11,970 million in 2019.
Major Sri Lankan organic products exported to the EU include cinnamon, coconut-based products, organic tea and tropical fruits such as papaya, pineapple, banana, and vegetables such as potato, carrots, leeks, and legumes. Sivapalan Pakeetharan, Program Officer-Enterprise development, from GIZ introduced the Program to the organic-sector exporters and discussed the criteria required to embark on this area.
During the event, Marvin Woischnik-Lange, Head of Public Projects at AHK Sri Lanka presented information on key topics concerning the EU legislations for organic farming, technical regulations and controls, certifications, standards, packaging, labelling, logistics, risk management, and other requirements of the European consumer. S. Maheswaran, President - Thenmaradchi Fruit Producers and Sellers Cooperative Society/ Palamuthirsolai presented a development testimonial and Dr. Prabu Nadaraja, Co-founder of Organic Movement of North & East (OMNE) expounded on the prospects of organic farming in North and East Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan exporters in the organic sector were briefed on the procedure of exporting organic products from Sri Lanka to the EU and support mechanisms such as matchmaking support at this event.
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