Imported spices may mask true Ceylon flavour: PA cautions

Imported spices could dilute Sri Lanka’s globally recognised ‘Pure Ceylon Spices’ brand, the Planters’ Association (PA) warned yesterday, cautioning that the government’s decision to allow spice imports threatens decades of work in building the island’s reputation for premium quality. 

The association said the move could blur the line between imported and locally grown produce, putting authentic cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg and cloves at risk of substitution, and weakening the brand identity painstakingly established in export markets.

The government last week approved a regulatory framework granting ‘approved enterprise’ status to selected companies to import spices for processing into value-added products such as oil extracts and oleoresins for re-export. While the policy aims to boost value-added spice exports, the PA said it risks undermining the integrity of Sri Lanka’s core spice production.

The association cautioned that foreign-grown spices could seep into local supply chains, diluting the value of Sri Lanka’s products and exposing the industry to allegations of adulteration and mislabelling. 

“If buyers and consumers lose confidence in the authenticity and quality of Pure Ceylon spices, it will prove extremely difficult to restore,” the PA said, highlighting the long-term reputational damage at stake.

Recalling the 2016 incident when large volumes of imported pepper allegedly entered Sri Lanka’s export streams, prompting India, its biggest buyer, to tighten restrictions, the PA warned a repeat of such trade disputes could severely impact local producers and dent confidence in Sri Lankan commodities more broadly.

The association also pointed to weak regulatory oversight and phytosanitary risks, noting that imported spices could open pathways for smuggling, underreporting, and the introduction of new pests and diseases, potentially threatening both local farms and the broader agricultural sector.

While acknowledging the government’s intent to enhance value-added exports, the PA urged policymakers to prioritise strengthening local production through modern technology, research, and improved market access rather than relying on imports. It emphasised that without urgent corrective action, the new import policy could jeopardise farmer livelihoods, erode the distinct aroma and flavour of Sri Lanka’s spices, and undermine one of the island’s most enduring export identities.