Sri Lanka Takes Its Flavours to Melbourne

Sri Lankan food and beverage exporters have taken a significant step into the Australian market with the country’s first-ever national pavilion at Fine Food Australia 2026, giving 12 local companies a shared platform to introduce their products to buyers from Australia and beyond.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) in collaboration with the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, the four-day exhibition was held from August 31 to September 3 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 90-square-metre Sri Lanka Pavilion brought together established exporters and emerging small and medium-sized enterprises, presenting a broad selection of products under one national presence.

The display ranged from Ceylon Tea and coffee, Ceylon Cinnamon and spices to coconut-based products, processed foods and beverages, seafood and processed fishery products, bakery products, frozen foods, fruits, rice-based beverages, natural and herbal products and other value-added food products.

The participating companies were Akbar Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, Perera and Sons Bakers (Pvt) Ltd, Link Natural Products (Pvt) Ltd, Coconut Taprobane (Pvt) Ltd, Sobako Products (Pvt) Ltd, Derana Marketing Services (Pvt) Ltd, K & D Foods International (Pvt) Ltd, HJS Condiments Limited, Ocean Foods Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, Saya International Tea and Food Exports (Pvt) Ltd, Tradlanka Agricultural Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd and Ceylon Coco Infresh (Pvt) Ltd.

The pavilion was officially inaugurated by the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, together with EDB officials, representatives of Sri Lankan Chamber Associations in Melbourne and participating companies.

Over the four days, the pavilion drew the attention of Australian and international importers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators and other industry professionals.

For the participating exporters, the exhibition was more than an opportunity to display products. It provided a setting for business-to-business discussions, potential buyer meetings and conversations on market access, distribution and sourcing partnerships.

The event also offered Sri Lankan companies an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s growing capabilities in value-added food processing and quality production, while highlighting products presented as sustainably produced and rooted in Sri Lanka’s distinctive agricultural and food traditions.

The EDB’s first national pavilion at Fine Food Australia was complemented by the presence of other Sri Lankan companies that participated independently at the exhibition.

Together, the national pavilion and independent exhibitors increased the visibility of Sri Lankan food and beverage products at one of Australia’s major food industry gatherings, with the country’s participation also receiving exposure through institutional channels and social media.

The initiative was supported by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, participating exporters and Sri Lankan Chambers in Melbourne, whose cooperation contributed to the organisation of the national pavilion.

For Sri Lankan exporters, the Melbourne appearance opens another avenue for developing commercial relationships in Australia and potentially across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

The EDB is expected to continue supporting market development programmes and participation in international trade fairs as it seeks to connect Sri Lankan exporters with global buyers and create further opportunities for export growth.

For a country whose food identity travels well beyond its shores, Melbourne provided a new setting in which Sri Lankan products could meet the people who may ultimately place them on shelves, menus and distribution networks across Australia.