Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. Sri Lanka is tiny. But it’s jam-packed with valuable (and tasty) commodities. It overflows with beautiful scenery. And it has a rich culture with a fascinating history.

Tea is one of the greatest commodities to come from Sri Lanka. It’s the country’s biggest agricultural export and one of the main things this beautiful country is known for. 

Tea plantations make up 4% of the country, and Sri Lanka produces 340 million kilograms of tea per year.

Sri Lankan tea is called Ceylon Tea, and though Ceylon Black Tea is their most popular, they also produce Ceylon Green Tea and Ceylon White Tea.

Not only is their tea the highest quality and cleanest on the market, it’s also one of the priciest. 

Tourists can visit tea plantations in places like Kandy, Ruhuna, and Uva (among others) to experience the cultivation process firsthand.

Cinnamon is a huge pride and joy of Sri Lanka. For centuries, Sri Lankan cinnamon has held the highest reputation in the world. Eighty to ninety percent of the world’s production of cinnamon comes strictly from Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan cinnamon — also called Ceylon cinnamon — is known as the purest cinnamon in the world. It has a unique aroma, special health benefits, and low coumarin value.

Over the years, cinnamon has been used as a spice, in medicinal products, perfumes, and even soft drinks. These days, cinnamon is mostly used in the pharmaceutical, baking, and cosmetic industries.

Sri Lanka is also known for its beautiful gemstones.

More than 80% of Sri Lanka’s entire landmass is considered “potential gem bearing.”

Sri Lanka has the highest density of gemstone deposits in the world. 

Out of 200 known gemstone varieties, Sri Lanka produces over 75.

Most of the gem production occurs in the Ratnapura district of the Sabaragamuwa province, as well as in Avissawella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Permadulia, and Balangoda. 

As a tourist, you can even take “gem tours” where you experience how gemstones are produced. In Ratnapura, you can check out the Gemological museum or visit a gem factory. And over in Okkampitiya, Buttala, you can even visit a gemstone mine. 

If you have cash to spare, shiny (hopefully real) gemstones make cool souvenirs.

Despite Sri Lanka’s tiny size, it’s the fourth-largest coconut provider in the world.

And they use it to make all kinds of interesting products. 

Coconut flakes, coconut shavings, and coconut milk are popular ingredients in many traditional Sri Lanken dishes.

They also produce:

 Coconut oil
 Coconut chips
 Virgin coconut oil
 Coconut milk
 Coconut cream
 Coconut butter
Coconut flour