Brown rice market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Sri Lanka's brown rice market volume increased from 56 964 t to 69 715 t. In 2018, government efforts to stabilize supply through rice imports helped maintain market availability amid domestic production challenges. Consumer demand, driven by population growth and urbanization, along with the cultural significance of rice, supported steady consumption. Production rose through 2019 and 2020, peaking in 2021 when inelastic demand and seasonal harvest patterns contributed to market stability despite anti-competitive practices among millers.

The market volume sharply declined to 45 502 t in 2022 due to structural inefficiencies such as reliance on two main cultivation seasons and market power concentration among a few large millers, which constrained production and distribution. Poor productivity and weather-related challenges like floods also impacted output. In 2023, volume recovered to 60 464 t, though shortages persisted because of stock concentration by large mill owners, while government import interventions and price controls aimed to stabilize supply.

Production brown rice in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka ranked 20th globally in brown rice production.

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's brown rice production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 70 184 tonnes of brown rice, a 9.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production surged by 114.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 29.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Sri Lanka's brown rice production value rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 68 104 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 13.0% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 99.9%, translating to an annualized rate of 26.0%.

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

Exports brown rice from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 498 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, showing a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, brown rice exports from Sri Lanka totalled 1 205 tonnes, a sharp 28.3% year-on-year increase. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 63.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 88.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka's brown rice exports in volume were widely distributed across markets. The United Arab Emirates (18.4% of exports), Australia (11.5%), and the United Kingdom (9.1%) together accounted for only 38.9% of total 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 experienced volatility throughout the timeframe. Volumes hit their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 3-fold shift between these years. In 2020, foreign brown rice supplies from Sri Lanka amounted to 1 169 thousand US dollars, a 32.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 483 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 66.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 82.4%.

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

Over 2017-2020, brown rice exports in value terms were spread across a diverse set of partner countries. The United Arab Emirates (17.8% of exports), Australia (11.7%), and Kuwait (10.7%) jointly accounted for just 40.2% of total flows.

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 brown rice to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market showed volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 3 600 tonnes and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 0.0 tonnes, a 131 579-fold change. In 2020, brown rice imports into Sri Lanka stood at 0.0 tonnes, a 96.7% decrease from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 100.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 832 732.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar was overwhelmingly the main source for brown rice imports into Sri Lanka, accounting for 100.0% of total volume.

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

The market exhibited signs of volatility during this period. The highest value was recorded in 2018, while the lowest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 57 650 times. In 2020, brown rice imports into Sri Lanka registered 0.0 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 95.1% drop from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2018 at 1 205 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 100.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 206 009.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Myanmar dominated brown rice imports into Sri Lanka in value terms, consistently making up 99.9% of total flows.

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

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