Tapping into the global demand for spices in Sri Lanka

Herbs and spices have been integral to human civilisation for centuries, adding flavour, aroma, and colour to our food. However, their significance goes beyond culinary delights, as spices find application in various industries such as cosmetics, perfume production, and even medicine.

As a business owner in Sri Lanka, one of the top exporters of high-quality spices, this offers exciting opportunities to tap into. If you are looking to export your Sri Lankan herbs and spices abroad, read on to explore how you can navigate the complexities of shipping spices to the international market.

Understanding the popularity of different types of herbs and spices

With a vast pool of information just a tap away on any internet-enabled device, the modern consumer is more knowledgeable and discerning than ever before. This is especially so when it comes to ingredients in the food they eat, creating a significant increase in demand for organic spices and a growing market that is expected to exceed US$440.05 million by 2028, as shared by Extrapolate.

Organic herbs and spices refer to those that are cultivated without synthetic pesticides or GMOs. Not only do these spices offer a more natural flavour, but they also promote nutritional benefits that appeal to the increasingly health-conscious crowd. This demand is particularly evident in the growing use of the following list of spices for health and seasoning purposes:

• Immunity: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for immune-boosting spices like garlic, turmeric and ginger has increased. Meanwhile, the growing popularity of herbal teas have similarly resulted in growing demand for a spice like cinnamon, a major Sri Lankan export.
• Veganism and vegetarianism: The growing health consciousness is also encouraging new diets. In fact, Datassential shared that as much as 40% of consumers intend to try plant-based meat. Following this trend, the use of seasonings utilised in conventional food products is expected to extend to plant-based food items.
• Flavouring: Organic ginger, chilli, turmeric and black pepper powder, which have become staples in many kitchens to enhance the food taste.
• General health benefits: The rising awareness of the health benefits of specific herbs and spices, such as curry powder, is also an essential factor driving the demand. 

Amidst this wave of healthy eating is another rising trend of conscious consumerism, driven by the growing awareness of ingredient origins and the impact of spice production methods on environmental sustainability. As one of the leading global exporters of spices and herbs, businesses in Sri Lanka can take advantage of these two trends to expand their export market for Ceylon spices.

How to export herbs and spices from Sri Lanka

1. Customs regulations

As spices and herbs are derived from plants, they can be susceptible to contamination and safety concerns, similar to fresh fruits and vegetables. An example is the presence of salmonella. Ground powder and cracked spices like pepper and curry leaves are particularly susceptible to this bacterial pathogen commonly found in animals like chickens, and consuming contaminated goods can lead to serious complications.

Therefore, many regulatory authorities implement contamination controls and below is a checklist of items to clear before shipping your products to international markets:

• Accurate labelling: To ensure the absence of contaminants, authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires spices and herbs to be labelled with information, such as the ingredient list and reliable nutritional information.
• Fumigant usage: Suppliers may take proactive measures, such as heat treatment or fumigation, to prevent insect infestation during shipping. However, markets like the European Union (EU) prohibit certain fumigants like methyl bromide and ethylene oxide. As such, checking the list of approved treatment methods before customs clearance is vital.
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) usage: Spices and herbs can potentially contain high levels of PAHs, especially if they are roasted or have undergone heating processes. As such, it is recommended that you review the established maximum limits for PAHs of your target market before shipping.
• Purity: Spices and herbs should also be devoid of diseases, foreign matter, and unwanted odours, and checking the acceptable limits of external substances in your products specified by your importing country can help prevent unexpected surprises during shipping.
• Export documents: The specific documents may vary between countries, but some standard documents include
  • Country of Origin Certificate.
  • Export Certificate.
  • Packing List.
  • Compulsory Pre-Inspection Certificate for cinnamon
  • Licence for using the pure Ceylon cinnamon logo is discretionary when shipping products like alba cinnamon. However, it is strongly recommended to ensure that the quality of your product is aligned with the standards for pure Ceylon cinnamon certification in the importing market.
  • Food Safety Certificate.
  • Phytosanitary Certificate for fresh spices, such as garlic and ginger.

2. Packing spices for export

Spices and herbs, especially ground spices, are often extremely vulnerable to climatic conditions and are susceptible to various forms of deterioration during storage and transportation from Sri Lanka. These include the loss of volatile oils, the development of caking or clumping, microbial spoilage, and the risk of insect infestation.

In particular, the colour pigments in red chilli powder can significantly fade when exposed to light and oxygen. Additionally, essential oils can leak and seep out from the packaging, leading to losses in their aroma and flavour. This makes choosing the appropriate packaging for the spices and herbs exports essential, and below is a list of the common packaging for different types of goods:

• Ground spices: 
  • Paper bags laminated with high-density polyethene (HDPE) woven fabric on the inner side, with an additional liner made of low-density polyethene (LDPE) or HDPE attached or stitched to the bottom of the bag.
  • Multiwall paper sacks, textile bags, or HDPE woven sacks.
  • Biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) laminate pouches placed within a corrugated box as the tertiary packaging.
  • Aluminium pouches placed inside paper board cartons.
  • PET jars are used for curry powders such as garam masala, channa, pav bhaji, chat, etc. 

• Whole spices:
  • Polyethene (PE)-lined gunny bags.
  • HDPE woven sacks.

• Curry leaves: Bay leaves are commonly packaged using polypropylene material or PE bags placed inside solid board cartons.
• Oleoresins: 
  • Tightly sealed containers made of glass, pure aluminium, or food-grade HDPE.
  • Stretch-blown PET bottles.
  • HDPE jerry cans and containers.

Make navigating spice export requirements a breeze