• Partnership with JICA to boost Ceylon Cinnamon exports to Japan
• New programmes to boost cinnamon productivity and expansion
• Replanting, expanding cinnamon plantations in non-traditional areas

Steps are being taken to register the Pure Ceylon Cinnamon logo and the Ceylon Spice brand in foreign countries under the Madrid Protocol, the Export Development Board (EDB) reveals.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe revealed that the Department of Cinnamon Development would be taking steps to register the Pure Ceylon Cinnamon logo and the Ceylon Spice brand in foreign countries under the Madrid Protocol. 

This will be done in order to promote Ceylon Cinnamon and other spices once Sri Lanka signs the protocol.

Commenting further on the promotional activities that are in the pipeline to promote Ceylon Cinnamon, he revealed that the Department of Cinnamon Development would be partnering with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to expand exports and promote cinnamon in developed markets, including Japan.

Wijesinghe further stated that steps would be taken to launch a Geographical Indication (GI) cinnamon promotional campaign with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Commenting on the steps being taken to expand Ceylon Cinnamon production, he revealed that measures would be taken to “implement gap filling in current plantations to enhance productivity, including the provision of subsidised jambo plants and to establish a fertiliser subsidy programme, as plantations have lacked proper fertilisation for the past four years”.

He further revealed that while steps were being taken to initiate a replanting programme for ageing cinnamon, they were also looking to develop cinnamon plantations in non-traditional regions, such as Mahaweli, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance, announced during the 2024 Budget speech: “Registering trademarks in several countries is costly in terms of time and money. We are working to accede to the Madrid Protocol, which will make registration quick and easy. This is crucial to increase the competitiveness of Sri Lankan brands and increase the value of Sri Lankan export products.”