Coconut export zone to be setup in Hambantota this year

• Minister says coconut and allied products will soon become leading export crop of the country
• Plantations sector recorded the highest export earnings in 2021, with coconut bringing in US$ 900 million

In a bid to cater to the increased demand for coconut related products, plans are afoot to establish a new coconut export zone in Hambantota, the Plantations Ministry announced this week.

Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana said that a new coconut export zone will be set up in close proximity to the Hambantota Port. 

The minister remarked that based on current data the government is of the firm view coconut and allied products will soon become the leading export crop of 
the country. 

The Plantations Ministry has received an allocation of Rs.15 billion for 2022, which Pathirana said will be used for projects, including the proposed coconut export zone, with financial discipline. He added that the money should be allocated fairly to all 
the institutions.

In 2021, the plantations sector as a whole recorded the highest export earnings in history with rubber fetching US$ 1 billion, coconut bringing in US$ 900 million, and spices US$ 500 million.

“When we came to power, the people were not interested in rubber latex cutting. But, at present, a kilo of rubber is Rs.500. A kilo of pepper, which was Rs. 200-300 has now exceeded Rs.1000. There is a huge growth in every export crop,” he said commenting on the progress achieved in 2021.