We know we’re a few weeks into 2026, but some years deserve more than a quick recap—time needs to be invested into properly reflecting on and celebrating them. 2025 has been that transformative year for Nootz. From international trade shows to prestigious awards and groundbreaking certifications, the year further cemented our growth from a Sri Lankan startup into a globally recognised brand. Here’s how we did it.
Q1: Going Global
January: National Recognition at Home
At the start of the year, we were recognised at the National Innovation 2024 Awards, where Nootz was featured in a vibrant 2-page spread. This milestone reflected the dedication of our entire team—past and present—and recognised our mission to place Sri Lankan innovation and authenticity on international shelves whilst uplifting local farming and the processing communities.
February: Launching Innovation in Biofach, Germany
At Biofach in Nuremberg, we co-exhibited at the Sri Lankan Export Development Board pavilion and unveiled something special: our trial batch of the Nootz passion fruit flavour. Booth 1-165 in Nuremberg Messe became the launchpad for what would become one of our most celebrated products.
Q2: Building Momentum
We sent back to back shipments to both Germany and Japan, highlighting the market uptake of Nootz. We are ever so grateful when our regenerative revolution makes progress.
Q3: Award-Winning Excellence
July: V-Label Vegan Certification Achieved
We received official V-Label Vegan Certification—a globally recognised standard backed by independent audits and strict verification. This meant every Nootz bottle could now be verified as 100% vegan, dairy-free, naturally lactose-free, and definitively not “vegan-washed”. This certification became a crucial differentiator as we expanded into new markets.
August: Great Taste Awards Success
After over a year in development, our hard work paid off. Nootz Passionfruit won a 2-star Great Taste Award, placing us in the top 10% of all applicants. The Guild of Fine Food’s judges praised our smoothie as:
- “Delicious. Fresh. Delicate.”
- “Exceptionally well balanced with well-judged sweetness and acidity.”
- “A pleasing colour and texture are inviting.”
- “Perfect for a warm summer’s day” with potential as “an excellent base for a cocktail.”
This recognition belonged to our incredible R&D team, with special thanks to the International Trade Centre and Dr Jane Milton for their expert guidance on the application process.
September: Shining at Speciality & Fine Food Fair
September became an unforgettable month as we exhibited at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2025 at Olympia London, one of the UK’s leading events for food and drink innovation. Sponsored by the International Trade Centre (ITC), we had the privilege of exhibiting alongside inspiring, high-quality businesses.
- Live product sampling that generated overwhelmingly positive responses from buyers, retailers, and food lovers
- Meaningful conversations sparked by our Great Taste Awards recognition
- Exciting discussions with stockists and distributors that opened new doors
- Celebration of our complete Great Taste Awards haul: 2-star for Passionfruit, and 1-star for both Mango and Pineapple flavors
The fair confirmed we were on the right path—delivering tropical flavour that’s both functional and fantastic. From our coconut milk and coconut water base to our Sri Lankan-grown tropical fruits, every conversation helped us share not just our product but our mission.
Q4: Scaling Up and Looking Ahead
October: Sri Lanka’s Presence at Anuga 2025
We brought Nootz to Anuga 2025 in Germany as part of the Sri Lanka Pavilion, supported by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Germany. Featured as one of the circular and innovative startups under the EU Global Gateway Strategy and BMZ’s EU–Sri Lanka CIRCULAR program, we showcased how Sri Lankan entrepreneurship combines sustainability, creativity, and culture to shape the future of food.
The experience, while tiring, was deeply rewarding, as engaging with international buyers demonstrated the global impact of local innovation.
November: Thought Leadership in Plant-Based Innovation
We participated in the panel discussion “Opportunities for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development in Plant-Based Food Systems and Culinary Tourism,” co-hosted by SLYCAN Trust, EthicalX, and Meatless Monday Sri Lanka. Our CEO, Dulara de Alwis, emphasized that while Sri Lanka has long exported commodities, the next frontier is branded products that represent identity, sustainability, and quality—unlocking opportunities for startups, SMEs, farmers, and food entrepreneurs.
December: Community, Resilience, and Looking Forward
December brought both reflection and reality. We shared the story behind our V-Label Vegan Certification journey with our community through our informative blogs and educational content, breaking down what the certification actually guarantees and why verified standards matter in an age of greenwashing.
But the month also reminded us what truly matters. Cyclone Ditwah devastated parts of Sri Lanka, killing hundreds, displacing thousands, and creating a multi-billion rupee infrastructure and agricultural crisis. Many of our Ceylon Exports & Trading factory workers near the Dankotuwa/Pannala area faced the brunt of the storm.
While we contemplated business repercussions, our factory manager, Hiran Perera, was already acting—opening our second and third floor boarding facilities to those in our community most severely impacted, providing basic shelter when it was needed most.
As climate change drives more frequent extreme weather patterns, moments like these underscore why our work matters—not just in building sustainable products, but in building resilient, caring communities.
By the Numbers: Our 2025 Achievements
Awards & Recognition:
- 1 x 2-star Great Taste Award (Passionfruit)
- 2 x 1-star Great Taste Awards (Mango, Pineapple)
- Top 10% of Great Taste Award applicants
Product Innovation:
- Launched 325 ml packaging format
- Introduced passionfruit flavour to market
International Certifications Achieved:
- BRC
- EU Organic
- JAS Organic
- USDA Organic
- V-Label (Vegan)
- Star-K Kosher
- Halal
Trade Shows & Global Presence:
- Biofach 2025 (Nuremberg, Germany)
- Gulfood 2025 (Dubai, UAE)
- IFE 2025 (London, UK)
- Free From 2025 (Vienna, Austria)
- Speciality & Fine Food Fair 2025 (London, UK)
- Anuga 2025 (Cologne, Germany)
What’s Next
Our focus turns to building retail relationships and following up on the exciting conversations we had with potential stockists and distributors throughout the year.
Thank You
To everyone who stopped by our stands, tasted our smoothies, shared feedback, provided guidance, or simply believed in our vision—thank you.
Special thanks to our ecosystem partners – Good Life Accelerator, GIZ, UKTP, ITC and the Export Development Board.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but we continue to push forward with passion and perseverance. We can’t wait to share what 2026 has in store.
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