Marking a moment of historical significance, Sri Lanka received its first ever Geographical
Indication (GI) certification when the European Union (EU) Commission on 02nd February,
2022 granted GI status to Ceylon Cinnamon. The outcome was a result of a painstaking,
decade-long, arduous endeavour led by the Sri Lanka Export Development (EDB) under the
Ministry of Trade with the support of numerous public and private stakeholders.
During this monumental task, the much needed technical assistance was provided by UNIDO,
Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) while
some financial assistance was granted by the Common Fund for Commodities, based in the
Netherlands. In this breakthrough mission, the EDB was ably supported by Foreign Ministry,
Department of Commerce, National Intellectual Property office, the Department of Export
Agriculture, Spice Council and the Spices and Allied Products Producers’ , Traders’ Association
(SAPPTA).
GI registration has the purpose to differentiate Ceylon Cinnamon in the EU market from its
substitutes of lower quality. GI will act as a source of competitive advantage which will help
to increase market differentiation, product turnover and allow for a premium price from the
consumer. An enhanced competitive position of Ceylon Cinnamon in the EU market will have a
positive impact in terms of an increase in exports for Sri Lanka, higher income and employment
generation across the cinnamon value chain, benefiting about 30,000 stakeholders involved in
cinnamon production and processing.
For more details visit: https://www.srilankabusiness.com/news/sri-lanka-achieves-its-first-ever-gi-certification-with-ceylon-cinnamon.html
Comments are closed