🍍 Historic Milestone in Sri Lanka’s Fresh Fruit Exports to Pakistan

Sri Lanka achieved a major agricultural trade milestone on August 21, shipping its first-ever 20-foot container of fresh pineapples to Pakistan. The inaugural consignment was exported by C R Exports (Pvt) Ltd. • Market Potential & Trade Target: - Pakistan imports 2,000–5,000 MT of pineapples annually (~US$ 10 Mn value). - Sri Lanka generated ~US$ 2 Mn in pineapple export revenue in 2025. - Expands access under the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PSFTA) to help reach Sri Lanka's 2030 export goals. • Quality & Regulatory Compliance: - Shipments sourced from Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-certified fields and registered with the Department of Agriculture (DoA). - Approved following an audit by Pakistan’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) and technical clearance via Phytosanitary Certificates from Sri Lanka's National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS). - Supported by the EDB, Department of Commerce, and diplomatic missions of both nations. • Future Expansion: - Sri Lanka aims to gain market share from major suppliers (Thailand and the Philippines) leveraging taste, quality, and proximity. - Plans are underway to expand into other fresh produce markets like avocados and oranges.