• Govt. shifts focus to China, Europe for cinnamon exports

Expanding export revenue from Ceylon Cinnamon a priority for 2025

Training workshops planned to enhance farmer capacity, quality

China introduces new phytosanitary standards for cinnamon imports

The Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure has decided to look beyond traditional markets and focus on non-traditional markets such as China and Europe this year in order to expand the export market of Ceylon Cinnamon.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure Secretary B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi revealed that expanding the revenue generated from the export of Ceylon Cinnamon was a priority during this year. 

The ministry will be looking at new non-traditional markets in order to achieve such an increase in export revenue. 

He stated: “We need to increase our export market and therefore China is one of our target markets. We are looking to enter the European market as well. Our main focus is to look beyond traditional markets and focus on non-traditional markets.”

He added that the main market for Ceylon Cinnamon had traditionally been South America.

Chandrakeerthi stated that in order to achieve these goals, it was necessary to focus on building the capacity of farmers. Accordingly, the ministry together with the Industrial Development Board will be organising training workshops for cinnamon farmers during the year.

In 2023, China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sri Lanka agreeing to sign the Protocol of Phytosanitary Requirements for the Export of Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka to China. 

Thereafter, in 2024, China’s General Administration of Customs, through Announcement No.145 of 2023, established new phytosanitary requirements for the importation of Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka.

Through the 2025 Budget, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented a proposal to expand value addition in traditional exports such as cinnamon.

“The Government will provide technical assistance to farmers in order to improve supply quality and facilitate linkage with value added exporters, including through international joint ventures. 

“In order to link to the global value chain, we propose to allocate Rs. 250 million to implement an integrated product development and trade promotion programme of Ceylon Cinnamon and other export crops,” he said.