Alliaceous vegetables market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market for alliaceous vegetables in Sri Lanka experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. A sharp contraction in 2019 was driven by a decline in consumer demand, primarily due to a fuel price hike that increased transportation costs and reduced overall commercial activity. This was compounded by wholesale intermediaries inflating retail prices, further dampening consumption. However, the market rebounded strongly in 2020. This growth was fueled by supply chain innovations, notably the direct procurement systems implemented by supermarkets like Keells, which delivered fresher produce to consumers in less than a day. This reduction in post-harvest losses and improved freshness aligned with shifting consumer preferences toward quality, stimulating market expansion.

Market volume reached a peak in 2021 despite adverse factors such as intense rains, fungal diseases, and shortages of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which challenged domestic cultivation. The growth that year was supported by an increase in domestic production. By 2022, the market size retreated. This coincided with a period of limited governmental intervention in pricing and distribution, while the growing role of supermarkets and e-commerce continued to reshape market dynamics, potentially affecting price structures and access.

In 2023, the market saw a slight increase to 437.2 thousand tons. This was characterized by a continued structural shift, with domestic production falling to 95.2 thousand tons while imports rose substantially to 342.1 thousand tons, indicating a growing reliance on foreign supply to meet domestic consumption.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, alliaceous vegetable production in Sri Lanka increased. In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 144.6 K t of alliaceous vegetables, marking a sharp gain of 33.0% compared to the previous year. Production decreased by 13.6% between 2017 and 2020, equating to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 108.7 K t, with the largest decline of 22.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with a 44-fold difference between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, Sri Lanka's alliaceous vegetable exports reached 1.7 K t, representing a solid decrease of 10.9% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1.9 K t, while the largest increase of 2 088.6% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Bangladesh, Maldives, and India were the principal buyers of alliaceous vegetables from Sri Lanka, accounting for 36.6%, 21.0%, and 18.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they comprised 76.2% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of exported alliaceous vegetables from Sri Lanka stood at 2.0 M $ US, indicating a sharp gain of 51.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2.1 M $ US. The largest decline of 35.8% occurred in 2019, while the largest increase of 1 584.6% was recorded in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives, Qatar, and Bangladesh continued to head the list of buyers of alliaceous vegetables from Sri Lanka in value terms, accounting for 29.9%, 19.1%, and 14.4% of exports, respectively. Together, they took 63.4% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, K t

Sri Lanka imported a total of alliaceous vegetables in 2020, representing a solid advance of 10.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The largest decline of 5.9% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India and China were the main sources for imports in kind, jointly taking 80.6% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imported alliaceous vegetable volumes in Sri Lanka increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported a total of 148.8 M $ US of alliaceous vegetables, up by 19.7% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 92.7 M $ US, with the largest decline of 24.8% also occurring that year. The largest increase of 34.1% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Pakistan were the main suppliers of alliaceous vegetables to Sri Lanka in value terms, accounting for 52.4%, 25.4%, and 9.9% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 87.7% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020