Elephant House recently introduced a new flavour in ice cream to add to their growing collection available on retailer shelves.

Vice President John Keells Holdings, (JKH) Head of Frozen Confectionery D.A.Neil Samarasinghe said at a recent press briefing that traditionally Elephant House has over the years produced wide variety in edible consumables. Ice cream produced by his company was one such.

‘The EH ice cream collection appeals to a wide spectrum in taste preferences and our most recent addition ‘Hakuru Mix’, is one such.

EH or Elephant House achieved credibility producing ice cream, and built its image through maintenance in standards wholly adhering to tenets in quality manufacture and more so being sensitive to consumer preferences.

He said ‘Hakuru Mix’ was not the result of impulsive whim but well thought out antecedents in market research. Adhering to cross section of such results and testing taste trends over a period of time they commenced commercial production and market success has not been inconsiderable. Added to their growing basket in taste already within ascending denominator including different flavours ‘Hakuru Mix’ would appeal to growing clientele in preferred demand. Success already recorded put this new flavour in the preferred slot and all indications are that this would also record a success story.

Consumption in ice cream, according to recent market research now stands at 1.1 liter per capita.

Apart from price, EH ice creams compete well in quality fully justifying affordability and standards. Naturally the price tag being attractive such indicators fully complements content of each pack. This being what it is consumer trends have grown; and are now in geometric progression.

Reverting to ‘Hakuru Mix’ Neil Samarasinghe said ‘Sri Lankans have a long gastronomic tradition mixing treacle into their deserts such as curd, yoghurt, and especially vanilla ice cream. This combination not only titillates taste buds but also gives one a wholly satisfying experience. It is with this in mind that we created Hakuru Mix thus reinventing a purely local habit and giving it a totally new dimension’.

‘Vanilla is a crop being produced locally, but not in viable quantities. How did you procure your requirements? Having said that, Madagascar being the leading producer in vanilla in the world also were affected by tribal warfare and about 75 % of their vanilla plantations were destroyed. How did you continue producing vanilla ice cream, faced by these problems?’

‘We had to face those practical problems no doubt but our demand was subjected to such market trends, but local growing, of vanilla, particularly in the Kandy District was more or less sufficient to see us through. Our vanilla ice cream production did not falter.’

He said EH ice creams have now achieved export markets. Mainly Maldives where market share is now approximately 48 %.

There are now 20,000 retail outlets through out the island. Sales expansion to Jaffna is now reality. We expect such expansion to result in pronounced upgrading in sales outlets. Holiday resorts in the Maldives have increased demand for EH ice creams.