The loading of Ocean Star Jack Mackerel canned fish produced at the Madurankuliya Ocean Food factory into containers for export was carried out today at the factory premises by the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Ratna Gamage.
This is the first time that canned fish produced in the country has been exported to the foreign market for sale. Accordingly, this canned fish stock will be exported to the United Arab Emirates.
Participating in this event, the Minister stated that canned fish will be exported for the first time in the nation's history on March 29, 2025, in keeping with the new government's vision of "A prosperous country, a beautiful life,".On this occasion, the Minister further said that the country's daily consumption of canned fish is three hundred thousand. There is a capacity to produce five hundred thousand canned fish per day, and accordingly, it is expected to bring $ 8 million to the country in 2025 from canned fish exports.
"We had always expected to wait with our mouths open until it was imported from the country. Two years ago, canned fish that were worth of 14,000 million rupees were imported into this country. Two years before that, canned fish that were woth of 34,000 million rupees were imported into this country. 15,000 million were spent for the import of canned fish. A country that has gradually spent 30,000 million to 49,000 million has reached the point where we have completely stopped the import of canned fish to Sri Lanka under the National People's Power government."
One container of this canned fish stock contains 48,000 cans. Of this, the country earns between $38,000 - $40,000 of foreign exchange.
Ocean Food Company is implementing a special program to bring quality fish caught by fishermen to the factory.
Board of Directors of the Ocean Food company stated that this has reduced post-harvest losses, provided fishermen with a good price, and enabled local and foreign consumers to purchase quality canned fish at affordable prices.
"For the first time in history, we were able to export canned fish. Accordingly, today, for the first time, we have taken the necessary steps to export a full twenty-foot container to Dubai. What we are doing here is just the beginning. After that, the factory expects to continue exporting to foreign countries. The target is to export about 200 large twenty-foot containers in the next few months of this year alone. Accordingly, plans have been made to export nearly $10 million worth of canned fish this year. By next year, we expect an export income of up to $35 million from that factory alone, Speaking at this, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte said.
Simultaneously, the Deputy Minister also conducted the issuance of export licenses, inspected the factory premises and opened the new canteen.
The event was attended by the Member of Parliament, Ajith Gihan, Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Mr. Sampath Mantrinayake, and Mr. Susantha Kahawatte of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
