Aubergines market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

Production of fresh aubergines in Sri Lanka increased from 129 thousand tons in 2018 to 142 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the establishment of a formal out-grower system and village-level collection centres managed by private sector buyers, which streamlined the supply chain and improved product quality. Simultaneously, a rapid 25% rise in the average export price for eggplants in 2020 stimulated market activity, despite partial disruptions from the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Output fell sharply to 130 thousand tons in 2021, largely due to government policy shifts that included a poorly planned ban on chemical fertilizer imports, leading to severe fertilizer shortages and reduced yields. This crisis was exacerbated by the abandonment of the nationwide organic farming experiment, which had caused widespread planting disruptions and food security concerns. In 2022, production stabilized around 128 thousand tons as the market adjusted to these ongoing challenges.

By 2023, production recovered to 135 thousand tons. This rebound coincided with the development of cold chain infrastructure at Colombo International Airport, facilitating faster export of fresh vegetables, and a continued emphasis on compliance with international food safety standards. However, persistent fertilizer supply issues, following the closure of local manufacturing facilities, maintained pressure on production costs and import dependence.

Production aubergines in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka ranked 17th globally in aubergine production.

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Aubergine production in Sri Lanka grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 141.9 thousand tonnes of aubergines, marking a steady increase of 5.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 30.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%.

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

Exports aubergines from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant fluctuations during this period. They reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 31-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 8.6 tonnes of aubergines, representing a sharp decline of 30.5% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 268.5 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 95.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 1 454.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Sri Lanka's aubergine exports by volume were Maldives (62.7% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (14.2%), and Kuwait (11.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 88.5% of total export volumes.

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, K $ US

Export values displayed considerable volatility over the observed period. They hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 26-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's aubergine exports were valued at 35.6 thousand US dollars, down 8.9% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 600.5 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 93.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 2 523.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the key markets for Sri Lanka's aubergine exports by value were Maldives (56.6% of exports), Kuwait (16.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (12.9%). Collectively, these partners represented 86.1% of total export value.

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 aubergines to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were highly volatile in these years. They reached their minimum in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 78-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported 3.1 tonnes of aubergines, which was 86.2% less than the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.3 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 22.3 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, falling by 93.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019, jumping by 7 717.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources of aubergine imports to Sri Lanka by volume were the Netherlands (51.1% of imports), the United Arab Emirates (16.0%), and Australia (15.2%). Together, these three countries made up 82.3% of total import volumes.

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, K $ US

Import values followed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. They dropped to their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 69-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's aubergine imports were valued at 17.8 thousand US dollars, down 86.9% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2.0 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 136.1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, decreasing by 87.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019, soaring by 6 806.1%.

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

In 2017-2020, the primary sources for Sri Lanka's aubergine imports by value were the Netherlands (51.7% of imports), the United Arab Emirates (24.5%), and Australia (8.4%). These three markets together accounted for 84.6% of total import value.

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

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