Sri Lanka, April 20 -- Direct impacts on Sri Lankan coconut exports remain limited despite regional instability, though shipping delays and rising freight costs present operational difficulties. Coconut Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Shantha Ranathunga noted that only a small fraction of the sector's output goes to Middle Eastern markets.

Approximately 8% of products, specifically king coconut, reach the Dubai market directly, bringing the total direct industry impact to an estimated 12-14%. However, the closure of specific shipping routes forced vessels to take longer paths to reach the UK and the US, causing freight charges to spike.

Exporters now face container costs that have increased by 1,500 to 4,000, creating significant f...