The Cinnamon Development Department has announced an ambitious plan to double Sri Lanka’s annual revenue from cinnamon exports, increasing it from USD 250 million to USD 500 million.
Director General Janaka Lindara revealed that Sri Lanka currently produces 25,000 metric tons of cinnamon annually, with approximately 19,000 metric tons exported. Cinnamon remains a critical export crop, primarily cultivated in the southern regions of Galle, Matara, and Hambantota.
To achieve this target, the department plans to expand cinnamon cultivation to Kurunegala, Puttalam, and the Mahaweli zones, aiming to boost production and diversify cultivation areas.
A key component of this initiative is the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China, which will facilitate cinnamon exports to begin in January 2025. Additionally, efforts are being made to strengthen Sri Lanka’s presence in the European Union and other global markets.
The department is also shifting focus towards value-added cinnamon products to maximize foreign exchange earnings. This involves supporting small and medium-scale entrepreneurs with resources and incentives to encourage innovation in cinnamon-based products.
These combined efforts aim to position Sri Lanka as a global leader in the cinnamon industry while significantly enhancing export revenues.
