Pussalla opens facility to boost value-added Cinnamon exports

Marking a significant milestone in its organic agriculture journey and contributing to an increase in foreign exchange earnings, Pussalla, through its subsidiary Pussalla Agri Ventures, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cinnamon processing facility at Kosgama.

Chairman Pussalla, Philip J. Wewita, at the opening last week, said that despite several concerns, they invested in this segment with the primary objective of contributing to the country's FOREX earnings, which is a priority. “We also want to help elevate the cinnamon industry and its workers to a higher level.”

He stated that they have started this new venture using unutilized lands in their poultry operation, and they use their own organic fertilizers.

“We executed a long-term plan and started our own factory, R&D center, and picked a marketing team which helped us to produce over 20 by-products and find international buyers as well.”

“We also trained over 20 new employees and, most importantly, cultivated over 100 acres of cinnamon in many geographical locations in Sri Lanka, which was started 6 years ago. It was cultivated in different stages, ensuring a year-round supply and providing year-round employment for our employees in this operation.”

We are happy to note that today we will be exporting 100% ‘Pussalla Agri Ventures’ made products that include cinnamon quills, powder, essential oil, air fresheners, hand wash, and Sri Lanka’s first 100% unique non-blended pure cinnamon brew to the Gulf from August, earning foreign exchange.

“We will export to the EU markets in December and to the US next year, doubling the exports.”

World-renowned researcher on Ceylon cinnamon and Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Center (AGbc) of the University of Peradeniya, Professor Pradeepa Bandaranayake, said that Ceylon Cinnamon, considered the best in the world, was first discovered by the Portuguese from up country, and later the Dutch introduced it to the Low Countries.

“She disclosed that Sri Lanka's largest buyers, Mexico and Peru, then mix Ceylon cinnamon with Chinese and Indian products and market them to the US and EU, mentioning that they are Ceylon cinnamon.

She said Pussalla’s venture stands as a leading example of how Sri Lankan enterprises can be unique and thrive in the global arena with value addition.

Director Pussalla, Dr. Chamindi Wewita Jayasooriya, stated that today it was disheartening to discover the non-availability of Ceylon cinnamon in the Portuguese market and have other forms cinnamon, even though it was they who discovered Ceylon cinnamon and took it to the world.

She further requested government authorities to intervene and initiate positive steps to introduce and establish the true identity of Ceylon to the world.

Chairman, Industrial Development Board of Ceylon Ravi Nissanka, who was the chief guest, mentioned that value-added exports of Cinnamon is an answer to Sri Lanka’s dollar-earning challenge and thanked Pussalla for taking a financial risk and entering this segment.

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Chairman, Pussalla, Philip J. Wewita, presenting a token of appreciation to Chairman, Industrial Development Board of Ceylon Ravi Nissanka 

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Chairman, Pussalla, Philip J. Wewita, presenting a token of appreciation to Dr. Pradeepa Bandaranayake of the University of Peradeniya

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