Germany intensifying its support for Sri Lankan exporters of fresh produce

AHK Sri Lanka organising a Sri Lanka pavilion at the world’s No. 1 exhibition

In cooperation with Import Promotion Desk (IPD), the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) recently organised a webinar on ‘EU Market Requirements and Opportunities for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables’.

Participants from SMEs in the Agriculture sector of Sri Lanka participated in the virtual event. The webinar aimed to support Sri Lankan fresh fruits and vegetable exporters to increase business opportunities and the visibility of products “Made in Sri Lanka” in the EU market.

The Head of Corporate Affairs and Export Promotion at the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka), Malintha Gajanayake said; “European Union (EU) is one of the most important markets for Sri Lankan exporters including the fruits and vegetables sector recording an increase of 9% (USD million) overall exports to the EU states. Germany in particular is an important market for Sri Lankan fruits & vegetable exporters. In year 2021, Germany was placed at the 5th position for exports of fruits with a value of USD 2.15mn and 9th position for vegetable exports with a value of USD 0.75 mn.

On behalf of AHK Sri Lanka, Gajanayake extended his support to the exporters of agri-food products from Sri Lanka to enhance Sri Lankan exports to Germany and the European Union, and further increase the visibility of fresh fruit and vegetable products exported to the EU.

Linda Mense, Regional Expert from the IPD Hub in Sri Lanka, provided an overview to the activities of IPD and offered further support to the Sri Lankan exporters of fresh fruits and vegetables. The webinar featured a presentation by Ferry Böhnke, external IPD Consultant for Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, who informed the participants on the market access requirements, growing trends in the EU import market, the legal framework to maintain food safety and quality and the prerequisites to enter and sustain in the EU market.

In the upcoming months, AHK Sri Lanka will intensify its support for Sri Lankan exporters. Matchmaking opportunities will be continuously provided. For 2022, AHK Sri Lanka will organise a Sri Lankan pavilion at the world’s No 1 exhibition for fresh fruits, vegetables and spices “Fruit Logistica” exhibition in Berlin from 5th – 7th April 2022.