Damn Fine Coffee and Australia’s MDF Launch Sri Lanka’s First Dedicated Coffee Dry Mill

Sri Lanka’s coffee industry has reached a new milestone with the opening of the country’s first dedicated coffee dry mill for green bean sorting, a joint initiative by Damn Fine Coffee and Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF). 

The mill introduces advanced sorting, grading and quality control processes that create greater uniformity in Sri Lankan green coffee, strengthening consistency and traceability across the supply chain so local coffee can meet the standards expected by international specialty markets. While Sri Lanka has a long history of coffee cultivation, coffee quality has traditionally been shaped not only by farming and processing methods but also by how beans are handled, sorted and prepared after harvest and before export. A dedicated dry milling facility addresses this stage directly, removing inconsistencies at the green bean level that have long held back the sector’s competitiveness.

Australian High Commissioner H.E. Matthew Duckworth highlighted the importance of initiatives that strengthen agricultural value chains in Sri Lanka’s coffee sector, saying: “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.”

Yasas Kodituwakku, CEO of Damn Fine Coffee, said the mill fills a critical gap in the value chain:

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.

Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, said: “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 position Sri Lankan coffee, as well as encourage the RPCs and farmers to improve the value chains.”

The facility is expected to play a vital role in supporting coffee producers by improving quality control and creating a more structured pathway from Sri Lankan coffee farms to international buyers, addressing a gap that has previously limited the sector’s ability to compete on quality alone.

Coffee quality is shaped by factors such as bean size, density, moisture content, defects and storage conditions, all of which influence the final cup profile. By bringing professional sorting and grading capability onshore, the mill gives Sri Lanka a stronger foundation to meet growing global demand from buyers who increasingly seek origins with strong quality control systems, transparent supply chains and distinct flavour identities.

The launch marks a step toward a more quality driven coffee sector, positioning Sri Lankan coffee to be recognised internationally not just for its heritage, but for its consistency and competitiveness. As global demand for specialty coffee continues to grow, Sri Lanka is well placed to showcase its diverse growing regions and distinct flavour potential, with Damn Fine Coffee and MDF laying the groundwork for that recognition to take hold.