KIST steps up to purchase surplus tomato harvest and protect farmers

Renowned food brand KIST, operated by Sri Lanka’s largest food company Cargills, has stepped up once again to support farmers in need. KIST purchased over 30 metric tons of surplus tomato on 26 April from local farmers in Gageyaya (Monaragala district), Welimada (Badulla district), and Wangiyakumbura (Badulla district). By doing so, the company mitigated the significant risk these farmers faced of discarding a substantial portion of their harvest.

The surplus tomato will be processed to manufacture KIST tomato sauce, at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Katana. It is the only Sri Lankan facility with aseptic processing capabilities which can convert and preserve fresh local tomato at highest quality standards, to use for tomato sauce production. 

This initiative underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to support the local farming community, with which it has had direct engagement for the last 25 years. By providing a consistent market for the farming community, the company is able to drive income to the rural economy and support livelihoods. Cargills has made significant investments over the years to reduce post-harvest losses in the agriculture value chain in Sri Lanka.