Beans market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled beans in Sri Lanka began at 162.5 thousand tonnes in 2018, then declined to 147.5 thousand tonnes in 2019 before rebounding sharply to a peak of 179.2 thousand tonnes in 2020.

After the 2020 high, the market entered a steady downward trend, with volume falling to 162.3 thousand tonnes in 2021, 155.4 thousand tonnes in 2022, and 150.0 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, the Department of Agriculture promoted the safe use of pesticides and fertilizers for bean cultivation and supported the growing of varieties like winged bean and yard long bean. The year also saw the availability of new certified winged bean seeds from Ceylon Agri and continued consumer interest in traditional bean preparations.

Production beans in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka ranked 10th globally in bean production volume.

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 179.3 K t of beans, marking a significant year-over-year increase of 21.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 147.6 K t, which represented the largest decline of 9.3% during this timeframe.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of bean output in Sri Lanka reached 501.1 M $ US, reflecting a 20.9% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beans from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was observed in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 8.3 times. In 2020, Sri Lanka's cross-border shipments of beans amounted to 60.7 t, down 29.8% year-over-year. The maximum value of 302.7 t was reached in 2018. The largest decline of 71.4% occurred in 2019, while the most significant increase of 730.2% was recorded in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main cluster of markets for Sri Lanka's bean exports in kind consisted of the United Arab Emirates (25.9% of exports), Maldives (23.8%), and Qatar (13.9%), together accounting for 63.6% of total export flows.

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

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export value was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a 9.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's bean export volume reached 169.7 K $ US, a decrease of 30.1% compared to 2019. The maximum value of 862.0 K $ US was recorded in 2018. The largest decline of 71.8% took place in 2019, while the most substantial increase of 822.3% was observed in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of beans from Sri Lanka in value terms were Maldives (26.2% of exports), the United Arab Emirates (19.4%), and Qatar (12.3%), with their combined share reaching 57.9% 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 beans to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was in 2020, while the peak was in 2018, with a 269-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported a total of 0.2 t of beans, representing a sharp decrease of 62.2% year-over-year. The maximum value of 51.9 t was recorded in 2018. The largest decline of 99.0% occurred in 2019, while the most significant increase of 8 063.8% was observed in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Myanmar remained the almost exclusive supplier of beans to Sri Lanka, accounting for 90.2% of total imports in kind.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest import value was in 2020, while the peak was in 2018, with a 48-fold difference. In 2020, foreign bean supplies to Sri Lanka amounted to 0.7 K $ US, down 57.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value of 31.9 K $ US was recorded in 2018. The largest decline of 95.1% took place in 2019, while the most substantial increase of 1 192.8% was observed in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar remained the dominant partner for bean imports to Sri Lanka in value terms, holding a 77.4% share of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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