Are you a business in Sri Lanka looking to increase profitability through the sale of traditional crafts and handmade items? With an abundance of skilled crafters, exporting Sri Lankan handicrafts presents an exciting opportunity for businesses in this region. Despite its potential, however, there are challenges that must be recognised and addressed before beginning exports.
In this blog, we will discuss how understanding these obstacles can provide insight into the opportunities exported craftsmanship represent. We will explore the current markets interested in purchasing Sri Lankan goods as well as strategies to maximise profits by developing new approaches towards targeting overseas customers. By considering both best practices from existing exporters and your own unique outlook, you can tap into the growing demand for traditional handmade products from around the globe.
Traditional arts in Sri Lanka: A snapshot of craftsmanship
Sri Lanka boasts a rich heritage in traditional arts and crafts, embedded with distinctive cultural narratives and time-honoured craftsmanship. This unique tradition, spanning millennia, manifests in the form of silver and brass work, lakshya wax art, clay pottery, reed and rush ware, rattan handicrafts and furniture, wooden masks, and the colourful batik. With globalisation and an increasing appreciation for ethnic arts worldwide, a wealth of export opportunities presents itself to Sri Lankan businesses, particularly in the handicraft industry.
Sri Lankan arts and crafts display a complex interplay of indigenous inspirations, colonial influences, and dynamic creativity. A standout craft is the intricate silver and brass work, where skilled artisans fashion ornate jewellery, utensils, and decorative pieces. The art of lakshya, using resin from local trees to create vibrant figurines and ornaments, is another time-honoured tradition.
Clay pottery and reed and rush ware embody functionality and artistic design, transforming ordinary household items into pieces of art. Rattan handicrafts and furniture offer sustainability and aesthetics, while wooden masks are steeped in cultural lore. Lastly, batik, the craft of wax-resist dyeing, presents an explosion of vivid patterns and colours, seen in garments, wall hangings, and decor items.
Exploring global demand for traditional crafts
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board's 2022 Industry Capability Report (Handicrafts) points towards a burgeoning global demand for authentic, handmade products. Countries such as the United States of America (USA), Germany, United Kingdom (UK), France, and India represent the major export destinations for Sri Lankan traditional arts and crafts.
Peak selling periods are often tied to seasonal holidays and festivals such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day in these countries, with a high demand for handicraft items during these times. The preference for traditional crafts as unique, ethically-sourced gifts is a driving factor for this trend.
The handicraft industry in Sri Lanka boasts an impressive range of strengths to stimulate its export potential. These include inherited craftsmanship, an array of raw materials, skilled designers, and the capability to produce unique, customised products. Traditional crafts villages serve as creativity hubs, promoting rural employment opportunities. With robust government support agencies and lobbying bodies for the sector, along with the availability of FSC-certified seasoned rubber wood, the industry stands well-equipped to navigate challenges and capitalise on international opportunities.
Despite the opportunities, the report also pinpoints several weaknesses to be wary of. Businesses in Sri Lanka grapple with obstacles such as limited engagement from youth, diminished productivity levels, and intense rivalry from counterparts producing analogous products. In the face of these challenges, exporting opportunities remain ripe for those willing to innovate and adapt.
