A group of Sri Lankan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including women-led businesses from the spice, coconut, dehydrated fruits, and coffee sectors, recently participated in a market exposure and capacity-building program in Nuremberg, Germany. This initiative coincided with BIOFACH 2026 and aimed to enhance their readiness to access and expand within the European market, as organized by the Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin.
During a pre-fair workshop, participants received practical guidance on navigating BIOFACH, refining sales approaches, and preparing effectively for buyer engagements. According to the EDB, sessions with sales coaches further boosted the SMEs’ confidence and preparedness to engage with international importers.
The delegation attended workshops led by German and European industry experts, certification bodies, and testing agencies. These sessions provided valuable insights into EU regulations, certification requirements, quality assurance systems, and market expectations. Each SME also conducted focused market research relevant to their product category, analyzing market trends, competitive landscapes, pricing structures, and consumer preferences during the BIOFACH exhibition.
Visits to organic and conventional supermarkets offered firsthand exposure to end-market requirements, including pricing, packaging, branding, certification compliance, and consumer behavior. The team also toured a German spice manufacturing facility to observe processing systems and European quality and safety standards.
A B2B matchmaking component was tailored to each company’s product portfolio and market positioning as part of the Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative. This was implemented in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Union (EU) under the regional initiative Accelerating Climate Smart and Inclusive Infrastructure in South Asia (ACSIIS).
One-on-one meetings with importers provided the SMEs with opportunities to pitch their product portfolios to prospective EU buyers and importers.
(Colombo/Feb19/2026)
