EDB meets stakeholders to address challenges faced by coconut coir and fibre product exporters

Thursday, 25 June 2026 05:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Export Development Board (EDB) recently convened a special meeting with key industry stakeholders to discuss the growing challenges confronting Sri Lanka’s coconut fibre export sector, particularly the shortage of raw material that is disrupting production processes and driving up costs for manufacturers and exporters.

Sri Lanka’s coconut coir and fibre-based product exports delivered a strong performance in 2025, with the total export value reaching approximately $ 294 million—a remarkable growth of 22.5% compared to the previous year. Even as supply-side pressures continue to mount, these figures highlight the sector’s resilience and its significant contribution to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

However, the ongoing coconut fibre shortage is placing severe strain on the industry. Production costs have risen considerably due to reduced raw material availability, and manufacturers and exporters are facing mounting difficulties in meeting delivery deadlines in international markets.

In response, the EDB brought together senior officials and representatives from across the coconut industry value chain, focusing the discussions on identifying both immediate relief measures and longer-term strategic interventions to stabilise and strengthen the sector.

The meeting explored a range of interventions, including supply-side measures to increase raw material availability, mechanisms to better regulate and streamline the fibre supply chain, and policy-level initiatives to support exporters in maintaining their international market commitments. Participants collectively worked towards developing actionable recommendations implementable across both the short and long term.

The EDB reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all industry stakeholders to facilitate an enabling environment for the coconut fibre export sector. As the national body mandated to promote and develop Sri Lanka’s export industries, the EDB will continue to play a proactive coordinating role in addressing the structural and operational challenges facing this vital sector.

The meeting was chaired by EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe. Senior representatives from key industry institutions attended, including Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) Chairman Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, EDB Export Agriculture Director Janak Sanjeewa Badugama, National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) Additional Director G.G.D. Lalani, Coconut Development Authority (CDA) Director – Processing Development K.A.N.P. Kanugala, and Coconut Research Institute (CRI) Acting Director Dr. Nayanie S. Aratchige, who joined via Zoom.

Representatives from the Sri Lanka Coir and Allied Products Manufacturers Association, the Exporter Association of Coconut Based Substrates, the Ceylon Coir Fibre Manufacturers Association, and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) also participated in the discussions.