With the rapid increase in demand for Sri Lankan King Coconuts in the international market, their export from Sri Lanka has increased by 117 percent in 2023, the Agriculture Ministry said.

According to the Sri Lanka Coconut Development Authority, the export of king coconuts from Sri Lanka has increased by 117 percent in 2023.

A discussion was held in this regard with the officers of the Coconut Development Board of Sri Lanka, the Coconut Research Institute, and the Coconut Development Authority (CDA) at the Ministry yesterday.

During the meeting, measures to be taken in the future for the development of coconut cultivation in Sri Lanka and the progress made so far were discussed.

"Although it has not been cultivated as a plantation crop so far, there is a high demand in the international market for the King Coconuts grown in this country. In 2022, 11 million king coconuts were exported and an income of 110 million rupees was earned. The number of king coconuts that have been exported so far this year is 14 million. The income earned from it is Rs. 140 million," Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

The number of king coconuts exported this year has increased by 117 percent, he said.

King coconut cultivation has not yet become popular in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the Minister instructed officials of the CDA, Coconut Research Institute and the Coconut Development Board to conduct soil tests, identify suitable areas for cultivation, and name the area as a king coconut cultivation export model village.

"At present, we have not identified any varieties of king coconuts suitable for cultivation in our country, and the traditionally cultivated king coconut species are still being cultivated. But the Minister also instructed the Sri Lanka Coconut Research Institute to start research to introduce a new species of king coconuts that have high taste and attractiveness and bear fruits within a short period of time. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)