Amidst Sri Lanka’s recorded TEJC mango harvest last year, exporters are carrying out promotions for TEJC mangoes to both Middle East and European markets, The Daily Morning Business learnt. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning Business, Export Development Board (EDB) of Sri Lanka Director (Export Agriculture) Janak Sanjeewa Badugama said: “With reference to the markets, the expectation is to inform the Middle East region. Since this is the harvesting time, certain exporters are carrying out certain levels of promotions in both markets.” 

He pointed out that since the country exports mangoes in fresh condition in considering the timing of the shipments and quantities. Practically, the exporters need to look into the Middle East region, mainly. 

Badugama points out that focusing on sea freight to the European region is not feasible. However, there is a huge demand mainly from Middle East countries. With demand picking up the exporters need to come up with the commercial links, marketing links.

Moreover, he stated that the exporters are not targeting the supermarket chains instead of medium level retailers which is a “serious issue” without quality assurance related certification.

“In order to approach the supermarket chain or good distributor. There are quarantine requirements the exporters have to meet.The pests and diseases are there in our cultivation and in our products itself that we need to assure through testing and certification that these pests and diseases are at zero level,” he pointed out.  

He elaborated that as a consequence, the consignments will not reach the expected clientele and instead it will go to a clientele with a moderate income group of the destination market.