CBL ventures into spice market with Rs. 1 b investment

• Introduces Sri Lanka’s first ‘Low Temperature Grinding Technology’ for spice processing 
• Promises purest and highest quality spice experience to consumers
• CBL raises the bar for industry, even amidst a pandemic
• Aims to capture significant share of fast-growing local spice market 
• Keen to explore into export markets 

By Charumini de Silva

Leading food manufacturing conglomerate CBL Group is foraying into the local spice market with a Rs. 1 billion investment roughly, whilst introducing Sri Lanka’s first ever ‘Low Temperature Grinding Technology’.

The new venture, ‘Sera Spices,’ is manufactured and distributed by Convenience Foods Lanka PLC, a subsidiary of the CBL Group under its popular culinary brand ‘Sera’. 

“Sri Lanka has been known for centuries for its variety of quality, flavourful and aromatic spices. CBL has always prioritised the needs of the consumer and our entry into the spice category with Sera Spices will provide consumers with the purest and highest quality of spices,” CBL Food Cluster CEO Thilanka de Zoysa told the Daily FT.

Noting that local spices is one of the largest categories in Sri Lanka, with a fast-growing branded market with over 60% in-home penetration, de Zoysa said the aim was to take a significant share of the market.  

De Zoysa said CBL has been a strong advocate for innovative Sri Lankan food products and is known for raising the bar for the industry, even amidst a pandemic. 

“We promise our consumers a pure and consistent spice experience with no additives, colours or flavours. Consumers are guaranteed the same freshness, quality, aroma and flavour in every pack – this is the quality promise of CBL.” 

The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of ‘Sera Spices’ is the Low Temperature Grinding Technology used to process the locally-sourced best quality spices. 

“CBL has invested almost Rs. 1 billion for this state-of-the-art facility with a view to offering the best quality products to our consumer,” de Zoysa said.

He said the Low Temperature Grinding Technology was an advanced process that preserves the natural characteristics and attributes of flavour, taste and aroma. 

“Through this technology, Sera offers the most consistent spices in taste, aroma and quality which was a need-gap across our Sri Lankan home makers. This is a hygienic manufacturing facility, where once the raw materials have been fed into the system, there is no human handling until the product comes out in packaged form,” he explained.

De Zoysa also said that an ‘automated recipe management system’ ensures precision formulations across the spice blends, which further helps to maintain consistency in Sera Spices.

“CBL Sera uses only the finest quality spices, sourced under stringent quality and hygienic standards, which is crucial to the high standards of the finished product,” he stressed.

Outlining future plans, de Zoysa asserted that the brand would look to expand this range in catering to Sri Lankan and export markets. ‘Sera Spices’ is available in retail outlets across the country at present.