Damn Fine Coffee and Australia’s MDF Launch Sri Lanka’s First Dedicated Coffee Dry Mill to Elevate the Quality of Sri Lankan Green Coffee

Damn Fine Coffee and Australia’s MDF Launch Sri Lanka’s First Dedicated Coffee
Dry Mill to Elevate the Quality of Sri Lankan Green Coffee

A landmark investment focused on improving quality, consistency, and global market readiness of Sri Lankan coffee

Sri Lanka’s coffee industry is entering a new chapter with the opening of the country’s first dedicated coffee dry mill for green bean sorting – a milestone initiative by Damn Fine Coffee in collaboration with Australia’s Market Development Facility aimed at strengthening the foundation of Sri Lankan coffee and supporting farmers with access to improved processing capabilities.

The newly established dry mill introduces advanced green coffee sorting, grading, and quality control practices designed to create greater uniformity in quality and ensure that Sri Lankan coffee meets the expectations of international specialty coffee markets.

While Sri Lanka has a rich history of coffee cultivation, the journey towards becoming a recognised origin in the global coffee industry requires consistency, traceability, and attention to detail at every stage of the supply chain. The establishment of this dry mill represents a significant step towards building the quality of Sri Lankan coffee and creating stronger opportunities for locally produced coffee to compete globally.

Traditionally, coffee quality has been influenced not only by farming practices and processing methods but also by post-processing handling, sorting, and preparation before export. The introduction of a dedicated dry milling facility addresses this important stage by enabling precise sorting and grading of green coffee beans, removing inconsistencies and improving overall quality standards.

Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Matthew Duckworth highlighted the importance of initiatives that strengthen agricultural value chains and support sustainable growth within Sri Lanka’s coffee sector.
“As a nation that loves its coffee, Australia is pleased to support the launch of Sri Lanka’s first dry mill, which marks an important step forward for the country’s specialty coffee sector. Through our partnership with Damn Fine Coffee, Australia is supporting investment that strengthens local processing capacity, raises quality and creates new pathways for Sri Lankan coffee to compete in premium markets. Together, we will help make Sri Lankan coffee more sustainable and export-ready, so it can create value for businesses and secure livelihoods for producers across Sri Lanka.”

Through this initiative, Damn Fine Coffee aims to support the development of export-quality green coffee that is acceptable for international markets while creating a stronger identity for Sri Lankan coffee on the global stage.

Speaking about the importance of this milestone, Mr. Yasas Kodituwakku, CEO of Damn Fine Coffee, said:
“Building the quality of Sri Lankan coffee requires attention at every stage – from cultivation and harvesting to processing and export preparation. While farmers and processors play a vital role in creating exceptional coffee, achieving uniformity and consistency at the green bean stage is equally important. This dry mill allows us to improve sorting standards, create more consistent coffee lots, and provide export-quality greens that are acceptable for international markets.”

The facility will play a vital role in supporting coffee producers by improving quality control and creating a more structured pathway from coffee farms to international buyers.

For coffee, quality is defined by attention to detail. Factors such as bean size, density, moisture content, defects, processing methods, and storage conditions all influence the final cup profile. By introducing professional sorting and grading capabilities locally, Sri Lanka can strengthen its ability to produce coffee that delivers consistency and meets global expectations.

The initiative also aligns with the growing demand for coffee worldwide, where buyers increasingly seek origins with strong quality control systems, transparent supply chains, and unique flavour identities.

“What would come first, value addition or the supply chain? DFC with the support of Australian MDF has made a bold move to take Sri Lankan coffee to the next level, this will help us to position Sri Lankan Coffee as well as encourage the RPCs and farmers to improve the value chains.” said Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

The establishment of Sri Lanka’s first dedicated coffee dry mill reflects a broader vision of transforming the local coffee industry from a commodity-focused approach into a quality- driven coffee ecosystem.

By improving post-harvest handling, ensuring greater consistency, and preparing export-quality greens, Damn Fine Coffee and MDF are helping create the foundation needed for Sri Lankan coffee to gain stronger recognition internationally.

As global demand for specialty coffee continues to grow, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to showcase its unique origins, diverse growing regions, and exceptional coffee potential. Building this future requires investment, collaboration, and a commitment to quality at every step. With the launch of this dry mill, Damn Fine Coffee and MDF take a significant step forward in shaping a future where Sri Lankan coffee is recognised not only for its heritage, but also for its quality, consistency, and ability to compete on the world stage.