About 50,000 to 60,000 litres of coconut water, rich in minerals but dicarded daily in Sri Lanka, will finally be turned up value added products. Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister, Jagath Pushpamukara said that the Ministry had take steps to produce soft drinks and food products, made from coconut water, with the support of the private sector.
He said that the Ministry was planning to export soft drinks and other food products made from coconut water shortly.
The Ministry was planning to promote coconut water soft drink in rural area by providing all necessary facilities with the objective of uplifting their living standard, the Minister said.
“The government cannot manage the export process by itself. So the private sector’s support is very essential”, the Minister said.
Coconut water is considered the world’s best sport drink loaded with electrolytes like sodium, pottasium and magnesium while it also flushes the kidney.
According to the private companies which exports coconut based products, there is a huge demand for them in foreign markets, especially in European countries.
Euro Monitor International’s soft drinks data shows that Brazil is currently the world’s largest market for packaged coconut water.
Coconut water accounted for 67% of 100% juice retail volume sales in 2010, compared to 47% in 2005 and 21% in 2003.
“Branded exports of our agricultural products and a tourism campaign promoting our natural beauty can mutually reinforce each other to build a distinctive image for Sri Lanka,”the Minister said. (http:www.island.lk)
Source: Cocommunity, Vol.XLI No. 11, 1 November 2011
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