Floriculture industry blossoms in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka exports just a fraction of the total world flower market, but the country’s floriculture industry is gearing up to expand the business overseas by canvassing more orders for local flora and fauna varieties, official sources said.
The island nation is exporting a variety of floriculture products including Anthuriums, orchids, roses and some ornamental plants to markets such as the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UK, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives, France, US, Australia and Korea.
Meanwhile 55 local floriculture exporters are exploring the possibility of entering into emerging markets in Swaziland, Uruguay, and Iraq.
Some have arranged out-grower systems on their own, under the supply development assistance schemes and other provincial development programmes organised by the Export Development Board (EDB) and other government institutions, EDB sources revealed.
Sri Lanka has earned US$12.37 million in much needed foreign exchange from flower exports during the first nine months of this year, EDB data showed.
The annual average foreign exchange earnings from floriculture exports is $15 million and the country was able to earn $15.85 million in foreign exchange in 2017, $13.63 million in 2016 and $17 million in 2015.
Around 500 hectares of land area is under floriculture at present and the majority of lands are in the Western Province.
There are 10 hectares under carnations, three hectares under roses, two hectares under gerberas, 10 hectares under anthuriums, three hectares under orchids and 472 hectares under foliage plants.
The majority of large scale commercial growers produce plants in collaboration with foreign partners.
In order to facilitate safe transportation of plants and related products, the Department of Agriculture conducts a well-equipped Plant Quarantine Service.
Officials of the department make regular visits to floriculture nurseries, taking on supervisory and advisory roles in the fields of integrated pest management practices and disease control mechanisms.
The “Green Channel” at Sri Lanka’s major international airport also provides a facilitated passage for exporting floriculture.