📈 Grower-Chef Partnerships Crucial for Sri Lankan Agri-Exports

Dilmah Tea CEO Dilhan C. Fernando called for direct, ethical partnerships between global chefs and growers to counter predatory trade practices, speaking at the WorldChefs Congress. • Market Shift: Post-COVID consumers, especially youth, increasingly demand transparent provenance, ethical practices, and health benefits from agricultural products like tea and Ceylon cinnamon. • Challenges for Growers: Agricultural production faces severe pressure from climate change and unfair trading margins. Traders frequently monopolize profits and utilize unethical practices, such as multi-origin blending and substituting true cinnamon with cheaper, potentially toxic alternatives. • Sustainability Focus: Addressing these challenges requires a shift toward regenerative agriculture, climate adaptation, and protecting biodiversity to ensure long-term food security and climate resilience. • Proposed Solution: Direct collaboration between culinary professionals and growers ensures fair margins for producers, high-quality ingredients for consumers, and the preservation of rural economic livelihoods.