Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried
Industry PositionFood Ingredient
Market
Sri Lanka’s Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) characterizes lemongrass cultivation as small-scale, reporting Badulla and Hambantota as growing areas and estimating total extent at under 25 hectares. In this context, dried lemongrass is best understood as a niche aromatic-plant ingredient market linked to smallholder/limited-area supply and value-added drying, packing, and (in parallel) lemongrass-oil activities. Export feasibility is closely tied to Sri Lanka’s National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) procedures for phytosanitary certification for plant products and to customs export declaration requirements. As a result, supply consistency and documentation/compliance performance tend to matter as much as agronomic output for commercial shipments.
Market RoleSmall-scale producer and niche exporter
Domestic RoleLimited-area cultivation with domestic culinary/herbal use alongside export-oriented value addition (drying/packing) and lemongrass-oil related activities
Market Growth
SeasonalityField harvest is agricultural-season dependent, but drying and storage practices can smooth short-term supply variability when quality is maintained.
Specification
Primary VarietyWest Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Secondary Variety- East Indian / Cochin lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus)
Physical Attributes- Buyer acceptance typically emphasizes clean, well-dried aromatic herb material with controlled contamination and good storage hygiene for dried aromatic herbs.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control is a key quality parameter for dried aromatic herbs; exact limits are typically buyer- and market-specific.
Packaging- Moisture-protective, food-grade packaging is commonly used for dried aromatic herbs to preserve aroma and prevent quality loss during storage and shipment.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest/leaf cutting → drying → cutting/sieving → packing → NPQS pre-export inspection/sampling (as required) → phytosanitary certification issuance → Customs export declaration (CusDec) → shipment
Temperature- Keep dried product dry and protected from humidity and condensation during storage and transit to reduce quality loss and contamination risk.
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighPhytosanitary compliance and documentation are a critical gate for exporting dried lemongrass (a plant product) from Sri Lanka: NPQS-issued phytosanitary certification and correct botanical naming/document alignment are required to satisfy destination import conditions; inconsistencies can trigger holds, re-export, or rejection.Register and pre-clear requirements with NPQS early; standardize packing list botanical naming and pre-shipment document checks (CusDec, phytosanitary, treatment/test records where applicable).
Food Safety MediumDried aromatic herbs can face buyer and regulator scrutiny for contamination (e.g., microbiological hazards, foreign matter) if drying, storage, and handling hygiene are not well controlled.Implement Codex-aligned hygienic practices for dried aromatic herbs, validate drying/storage controls, and use routine third-party testing aligned to target-market requirements.
Supply Availability MediumDEA reports Sri Lanka’s lemongrass cultivation as very limited (estimated national extent under 25 ha) and concentrated in reported areas (Badulla and Hambantota), which can constrain exportable volumes and create supply continuity risk for regular programs.Use forward contracting and multi-supplier aggregation; plan inventory buffers for dried product lots that meet buyer specs.
Logistics MediumSea freight shipments face quality risk from humidity and moisture ingress (container condensation) that can degrade dried herb quality and increase rejection risk.Use moisture-barrier packaging, desiccants/liner systems where appropriate, and specify dry container loading practices with clear handling SOPs.
FAQ
Which Sri Lankan authority issues phytosanitary certificates for exporting dried lemongrass?The National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) under Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture issues phytosanitary certificates for exporting plants and plant products, following NPQS procedures for registration, inspection/sampling, and certificate issuance.
Where is lemongrass reported to be grown in Sri Lanka, and how large is cultivation?Sri Lanka’s Department of Export Agriculture reports lemongrass cultivation in Badulla and Hambantota areas and notes that only a few small cultivations exist, estimating total national extent at under 25 hectares.
What are key documents and steps commonly referenced for exporting plant products like dried lemongrass from Sri Lanka?Commonly referenced steps include obtaining NPQS phytosanitary certification (with a packing/commodity list that includes the correct botanical name and any required treatment/test records) and submitting the Sri Lanka Customs export declaration (CusDec) online before shipment, with additional permits as applicable.