Sri Lanka’s food and agriculture sector is currently being featured at the 4th China International Expo (CIIE), providing opportunities for local businesses to identify the right distribution channels.

 The five-day event that kicked off on 5^th November, is organized by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government with assistance from the World Trade Organization, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, China International Import Expo Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

The Sri Lanka Food and Agriculture pavilion included 18 companies.

A common display area was organized as a cluster of offerings for different products which provided visitors an exclusive experience with the local products.

Products featured included Ceylon Spices, Ceylon Tea, coconut-related products, and processed food products such as kithul products, sauces, and confectionaries, among others.

The EDB in a statement said that changes have been observed in the purchasing patterns through E-commerce platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic which has created challenges as well as opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters to explore the lucrative and competitive markets in China.

China was the eighth largest export destination of Sri Lanka, generating an export value of US$ 223 million in 2020 with main export products being tea, activated carbon, electronic & electrical products, coir fiber, apparel, mineral sands, petroleum products, pneumatic, and retreated rubber tyres & tubes.

According to the EDB, Sri Lanka also has the potential to supply products such as gemstones, quality spices, coconut, and coir products.