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EDB Executive Director Dr. Yousuf Maraikkar with members of Lankan delegation to attend International Pepper Conclave 2015. From right: Saboor Chatoor Executive Chairman G.S. Chatoor, Sinbad Ltd. C.M. Zarook and EOAS Organics Assistant General Manager Nuwan Gunaratne
As Sri Lanka’s king of spices, pepper, continued at a steady second rank among all spice exports for a third year in a row, Sri Lanka prepared to move its top spice players to a forthcoming global Conclave in China, the Industry and Commerce Ministry said yesterday.
“EDB welcomes you to be Sri Lanka’s pepper and spice representatives at this important event. We are aiming to help our pepper sector for networking and market expansion,” said EDB Executive Director Dr. Yousuf Maraikkar.
Executive Director Maraikkar was addressing the representatives of selected spice sector players of Sri Lanka shortlisted by EDB to take part in the forthcoming International Pepper Conclave 2015 (IPC 2015) in Shanghai, China.
The participating companies are Saboor Chatoor Ltd., Sindbad Ltd., and EAOS Organics (Lanka) Ltd. Saboor Chatoor Ltd. is one of the top three spice exporters of Sri Lanka while Sindbad Ltd. is a tea and a premier spice exporting firm. EAOS Organics (Lanka) Ltd. is Sri Lanka’s largest value added exporter of organic spices including pepper. These firms will lead the way first ever Lankan official delegation to the International Pepper Conclave 2015.
“Compared to many other black peppers around the world, Lankan pepper has higher ‘piperine’ content taken for dietary applications,” said Director Maraikkar.
He added: “In 2012, we produced more than 17,000 Mt of pepper while international demand for Lankan pepper cannot be satisfied easily! The forthcoming International Pepper Conclave 2015 in Shanghai could open doors for our pepper exporters and help our market diversification. In view of this, EDB welcomes you to be Sri Lanka’s pepper and spice representatives at this important event. We are aiming to help our pepper sector for networking and market expansion. This is the first time EDB is preparing an official Lankan delegation to IPC series.”
The International Pepper Conclave 2015 (IPC 2015) is the third such conclave to be held. It is organised by the global pepper community in collaboration with the China Essential Oils, Aroma & Spices Trade Association (CHINAESA) and will be held on 25 and 26 June at Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).
Taking part along with policy makers are pepper suppliers/growers, importers, exporters, shippers and logistic firms, additives suppliers, industry associations, promotional bodies and packaging manufactures. This year’s conclave is organised to strengthen business contacts of pepper suppliers and capture potential markets in China and East Asia. Spice industry analysts now forecast that as it shifts from a producer to consumer, China is becoming a leading growth driver in the global pepper market. The previous Pepper Conclave was held in Dubai in 2013.
“Sri Lankan black pepper is well known for its high quality. We do not need any international marketing or branding campaigns for Lankan pepper since we cannot meet the growing demand and we are looking for more supplies,” said Saboor Chatoor Executive Chairman G.S. Chatoor. “During our forthcoming tour we are aiming to understand latest global pepper market trends as well as emerging China market outlook. We thank the EDB for this first ever official facilitation to the IPC series.”
Global pepper production is restricted to certain regions and seasons while demand continues to build across the year. In 2014, Sri Lanka’s spice exports (all types) stood at $234 million and cinnamon continued to lead Sri Lanka’s spice exports at $132 million while pepper remained the second largest spice export for the third year in a row at $69 million. In 2012, pepper overtook cloves to become the second largest spice export of Sri Lanka – the leading spice export being Ceylon Cinnamon.
