Known as the Spice Island, Sri Lanka was historically attractive to the Western nations for its spice riches. Sri Lanka is famous for a range of sought-after spices including cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamoms, nutmeg, mace and vanilla. These grow in abundance all over the island in fertile and diverse soil types and varying temperature conditions. 56% of Sri Lankan agricultural exports consist of spices, allied products and essential oils. These varieties of condiments are used to season, flavour and aromatise various forms of cuisines across the world.
Cinnamon is the most important spice commodity among the spice sector. People in ancient Sri Lanka used Cinnamon for many purposes such as, medicine, spice, perfumery material & soft drink. At present the cinnamon is widely used in bakery products, pharmaceutical preparations & cosmetics worldwide. Cinnamon is considered as unique product exporting from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the world largest producer & exporter of Cinnamon to the world. (Source – Sri Lanka Export Development Board)