Kandy, Sri Lanka – 28 September 2026 – The picturesque city of Kandy recently played host to the highly anticipated Sri Lankan Spice Expo – 2026, an event pivotal for the nation’s burgeoning spice industry. Held yesterday, September 16th, at Sahas Uyana, the expo was graced by the patronage of Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, the esteemed Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, underscoring the government’s commitment to bolstering this vital sector.
Organized by the Department of Export Agriculture, the Sri Lankan Spice Expo 2026 served as a dynamic platform for a diverse array of stakeholders. It brought together entrepreneurs, farmers, and industry experts, fostering an environment conducive to growth and innovation within the Sri Lankan spice sector. The expo’s multifaceted objectives included providing avenues for entrepreneurs to showcase their high-quality products, offering crucial guidance on resolving production and marketing challenges, facilitating the sharing of invaluable business experiences from successful industry pioneers, and imparting the latest technical knowledge to participants.
Minister Lal Kantha Emphasizes Economic Strength and Direct Market Access
Addressing the attendees, Minister K.D. Lal Kantha delivered an impassioned speech, highlighting the significant economic advantages enjoyed by those operating within the spice sector. “The economic condition of those involved in the spice sector is good,” the Minister stated. “Farmers and entrepreneurs engaged in export crop cultivation are economically stronger when compared with those who cultivate other crops.”
The Minister further elaborated on the proactive role of the Department of Export Agriculture in unifying farmers and entrepreneurs. He introduced the ambitious ‘Export Agri Mahima’ program, an initiative designed to assign a unique identity to specific geographical areas. Under this program, selected regions will focus on developing two key export crops, thereby creating specialized hubs for production and expertise. “We create areas based primarily on two export crops. Then anyone can be connected to that place,” he explained.
A central theme of Minister Lal Kantha’s address was the imperative to empower local producers to engage directly with international markets, circumventing intermediaries. “We want to build up a generation from among you who can work directly with foreign markets, without going through middlemen,” he affirmed. This strategic vision is being supported by vigorous efforts to identify and secure foreign markets through Sri Lanka’s overseas diplomatic missions.
Fostering Entrepreneurship for a Brighter Economic Future
Minister Lal Kantha expressed strong confidence in the future economic prosperity of those involved in the spice industry development. He urged for the cultivation of more entrepreneurs within the field, defining an entrepreneur as “someone who takes on a challenge and works through it.” This emphasis on resilient and innovative entrepreneurship is expected to be a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to elevate the Sri Lankan agriculture sector.
The successful conclusion of the Kandy spice expo reaffirms the government’s unwavering commitment to the growth and global competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s cherished spices, setting a promising trajectory for enhanced economic stability and international market penetration.
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