The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) successfully organized a Market Exposure and Capacity Building Programme in parallel with BIOFACH 2026, held in Germany from 09th to 14th February 2026.
Implemented in collaboration with the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin, the initiative brought together a selected group of Sri Lankan SMEs, including women-led enterprises representing the spice, coconut, dehydrated fruits and coffee sectors. The programme was designed to enhance their readiness to access and expand within the European market.
The exposure visit commenced with a pre-fair workshop, where participants received practical guidance on navigating BIOFACH, refining sales approaches and preparing effectively for buyer engagements. Interactive sessions with sales coaches further enhanced the SMEs’ confidence and preparedness to engage with international importers.
During the programme, the delegation participated in workshops with leading German and European industry experts, certification bodies and testing agencies, gaining valuable insights into EU regulations, certification requirements, quality assurance systems and prevailing 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.
The organic & conventional supermarket visits provided first hand exposure to end-market requirements, including pricing, packaging, branding, certification compliance and consumer behavior. The delegation also undertook a factory visit to a leading German spice manufacturer, observing advanced processing systems and stringent European quality and safety standards. These engagements enabled participants to gain a deeper understanding of the latest trends, innovations and sustainable practices in the global organic industry, while strengthening their awareness of regulatory and compliance frameworks governing the EU market.
Further, this programme was enriched with a B2B Matchmaking component tailored to each company’s product portfolio and market positioning, implemented under Sri Lanka Export Excellence Initiative 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). The initiative enabled structured one-to-one meetings with importers, facilitating SMEs to pitch their product portfolio to future prospective buyers and importers in EU region.
Overall, the programme proved to be a highly impactful and transformative experience for participating entrepreneurs, equipping them with enhanced market knowledge, practical skills and direct buyer linkages. Building on this success, SLEDB, together with its local and international partners, plans to further expand the Market Exposure, Capacity Building and Matchmaking Programme in the coming years to strengthen the global competitiveness and export performance of Sri Lankan SMEs.
