Ceylon Cinnamon receives Geographical Indication certification from the European Union
The European Union (EU) handed over the Geographical Indication (GI) certification to Ceylon Cinnamon, Sri Lanka’s first GI-certified product. An official ceremony took place between the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB).
The GI application was made by Sri LankaExport Development Board (EDB) and supported by the EU under the EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance Project and through technical assistance from UNIDO and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
EU Ambassador Denis Chaibi said “GI is not only about linking a product to a place; it is about recognising the skill and achievement of the people who produce it.
In the case of Ceylon Cinnamon, it is an endorsement of the quality and an acknowledgement of the long tradition and rich history behind the production of this internationally renowned spice.
An enhanced competitive position for Ceylon Cinnamon in the EU market will increase exports for Sri Lanka, and bring higher income and more employment across the cinnamon value chain.”
EDB Chairman Suresh D. de Mel said “This achievement could not have come at a more fitting time than now when increasing Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange earnings is more important than ever before. I encourage our cinnamon growers, processors, and exporters to use the PGI logo and attract high quality, value-added and premium markets.”
Sri Lanka is the world’s largest producer and exporter of cinnamon accounting for 90% of the global market share.
Although there are many varieties of cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon is pure and considered superior due to its delicate taste and properties that contribute to many health benefits.
Geographical Indication, which protects the name and trademark of a special product identified with a particular region and production practice, will differentiate Ceylon Cinnamon from other cinnamons of lower quality and bring a competitive advantage.
Sri Lanka enjoys a fruitful trading relationship with the EU.
The EU is Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market and is a beneficiary of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+), which provides tariff reduction on various products, and has given a big boost to the island’s exporters.
The European Union launched the ‘EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance’ project in 2015 to increase the trade and competitiveness of Sri Lankan SMEs in regional and EU markets. This 8 million euro project, implemented by ITC and UNIDO provided technical assistance to the National Quality Infrastructure, and the Food, Beverages, Spices and Concentrates sectors.
Through this project, EDB was supported in its application process for Cinnamon GI registration.