Tuesday, March 03, 2026

Lihini Sea Foods recognised for its contribution to export sector, at NCE Export Awards

Lihini Sea Foods (Pvt) Ltd has been recognized with the prestigious Gold Award in the Extra Large Category – Fisheries & Fishery Products Sector at the 33rd NCE Export Awards 2025, organized by the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka. The award ceremony celebrates the company's exceptional contribution to Sri Lanka's export economy and its commitment to delivering premium seafood products to international markets.

Company's Impressive Production Capacity

Operating with a substantial monthly capacity of 175 metric tons, Lihini Sea Foods has established itself as a major player in Sri Lanka's fisheries export industry. This impressive production volume demonstrates the company's ability to meet large-scale international demand while maintaining consistent quality standards. The company's robust operational infrastructure enables it to process and export significant quantities of premium seafood products, contributing substantially to Sri Lanka's foreign exchange earnings.

Since its establishment in 2004, Lihini Sea Foods has built a reputation for excellence in the seafood processing and export sector. The company's two-decade journey reflects steady growth and adaptation to evolving international market requirements, positioning itself as a reliable supplier in the competitive global seafood industry.

Significance of the NCE Export Awards

The National Chamber of Exporters Export Awards represent one of Sri Lanka's most prestigious recognition programs for export excellence. Now in its 33rd year, this annual event honors companies that have made outstanding contributions to the country's export sector across various industries. The awards program evaluates participants based on multiple criteria including export performance, quality standards, innovation, and overall contribution to national economic growth.

Winning the Gold Award in the Extra Large Category signifies Lihini Sea Foods' superior performance among major exporters in the fisheries sector. This category specifically recognizes companies with substantial export volumes and significant market impact, making the achievement particularly noteworthy for the company's standing in the industry.

Sri Lanka's Fisheries Export Sector

The fisheries and fishery products sector plays a crucial role in Sri Lanka's export economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings and employment generation. Companies like Lihini Sea Foods serve as vital contributors to this sector's success, helping maintain Sri Lanka's position as a reliable supplier of high-quality seafood products in international markets.

Sri Lanka's strategic location in the Indian Ocean provides access to diverse marine resources, enabling companies to offer a wide variety of seafood products to global consumers. The country's fisheries export sector has evolved considerably over the years, with modern processing facilities and adherence to international quality standards becoming standard practice among leading exporters.

Premium Seafood Supply Chain

Lihini Sea Foods' recognition highlights the company's commitment to supplying premium seafood products that meet stringent international quality requirements. The company's success in maintaining consistent quality across its 175-metric-ton monthly capacity demonstrates sophisticated supply chain management and processing capabilities.

The premium seafood market demands strict adherence to food safety standards, traceability requirements, and sustainable sourcing practices. Companies operating in this space must invest heavily in modern processing equipment, cold chain infrastructure, and quality assurance systems to meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements in destination markets.

Economic Impact and Industry Leadership

The Gold Award recognition reflects Lihini Sea Foods' broader contribution to Sri Lanka's economic development through export earnings, employment creation, and industry leadership. Large-scale exporters like Lihini Sea Foods help establish Sri Lanka's credibility in international markets, potentially opening doors for other local companies to expand their export operations.

Export awards serve multiple purposes beyond recognition, including benchmarking industry standards, encouraging best practices, and inspiring other companies to pursue excellence in their export operations. Lihini Sea Foods' achievement sets a positive example for the entire fisheries sector, demonstrating that Sri Lankan companies can compete effectively in global markets.

Future Prospects and Industry Development

The recognition of Lihini Sea Foods at the NCE Export Awards 2025 comes at a time when Sri Lanka is focusing on expanding its export base and increasing foreign exchange earnings. The fisheries sector represents significant potential for further growth, particularly as global demand for sustainable seafood products continues to rise.

Companies like Lihini Sea Foods, with their established market presence and proven track record, are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the international seafood market. Their success stories contribute to building Sri Lanka's overall reputation as a reliable source of high-quality fishery products.

The 33rd NCE Export Awards 2025 celebration of Lihini Sea Foods' achievements underscores the importance of recognizing and supporting companies that drive export growth. As Sri Lanka continues to navigate economic challenges and opportunities, successful exporters like Lihini Sea Foods play an increasingly vital role in the country's economic recovery and long-term prosperity.