EU standards push Sri Lanka toward greener agriculture

Sri Lanka is intensifying efforts to grow and export organic produce as the European Union prepares new sustainability regulations that could reshape global food trade.

The move comes as local exporters seek to safeguard access to key European markets, where new environmental rules will soon require agricultural goods to meet stricter sustainability and traceability standards.

According to Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, about 20,000 Sri Lankan farmers are currently cultivating around 70,000 acres of organic fruits and vegetables for export. He said authorities are now working on expanding certified organic farmland and introducing stronger support measures to help farmers transition from conventional to sustainable methods.

Wijesinghe noted that global demand for organic products continues to surge. The organic food market, now worth an estimated US $150 billion, is projected to reach US $650 billion by 2034. The European Union and the United Kingdom are expected to account for nearly half of that demand, creating major export opportunities for compliant producers.

Officials say the renewed focus on organic farming could not only boost exports but also improve soil health and biodiversity, reducing the country’s dependence on chemical inputs. The EDB is preparing a national action plan to guide this transition, with pilot projects already underway in several provinces.

source: dailymirror.lk

photo: vox.com