Citrus fruit market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for citrus fruit in Sri Lanka showed significant variation from 2018 to 2023, beginning at 47 761 t and reaching a peak of 67 909 t in 2020. This growth was preceded by a rise to 49 741 t in 2019, supported by favorable weather conditions and close supervision of harvesting and manufacturing processes on plantations, which enhanced agricultural output. The surge in 2020 marked a high point before subsequent contractions.

Following the peak, market volume declined to 63 380 t in 2021 and further to 48 836 t in 2022. The downturn in 2022 coincided with reported economic challenges, including exchange rate fluctuations that impacted operations for major food sector players like H V A Foods PLC, constraining the market. Despite the volume decrease in 2021, Citrus Hikkaduwa reported substantial revenue growth, indicating strong demand in hospitality and value-added segments, though not offsetting the overall drop in fresh fruit volume.

Market volume recovered to 53 057 t in 2023, aided by strategic market expansion efforts. Citrus Leisure PLC maintained its focus on Indian and East Asian markets, while stakeholder engagement and distribution growth in European and Asian markets supported sales. In 2024, the sector faced climate-related agricultural slowdowns and structural challenges, but saw the commencement of new processing factories, which could influence future processing capacity amid moderating inflation and monetary policy adjustments.

Production citrus fruit in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's citrus fruit production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 57 476 tons of citrus fruit, marking a 66.6% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 117.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 29.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2020, citrus fruit output values varied by a factor of 2.6. In 2020, the value of citrus fruit production in Sri Lanka reached 95 326 thousand US dollars, representing a 96.2% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 14.2%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. From 2017 to 2018, the range between peak and trough was 2.3 times. In 2020, Sri Lanka's citrus fruit exports totaled 1 300 tons, down 32.3% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 989 tons. The largest decline happened in 2018, with a 57.2% decrease, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 94.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (28.7% of exports in volume), Qatar (22.8% of exports in volume), and Maldives (19.4% of exports in volume) were the top contributors to Sri Lanka's citrus fruit exports, together accounting for 70.9% 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

In 2020, Sri Lanka's citrus fruit exports were valued at 2 157 thousand US dollars, a 20.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 31.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 703 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 45.9% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 58.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives (28.8% of exports in value), Saudi Arabia (19.8% of exports in value), and the United Arab Emirates (19.7% of exports in value) held the largest shares of Sri Lanka's citrus fruit exports by value, together comprising 68.2% of total export 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 citrus fruit to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Sri Lanka's citrus fruit imports declined. In 2020, the country imported 11 734 tons of citrus fruit, which is 31.7% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6.1%, equating to an average annual rate of 2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 170 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 43.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan (34.5% of imports in volume), Egypt (21.3% of imports in volume), and South Africa (19.6% of imports in volume) were the leading suppliers of citrus fruit to Sri Lanka, with their combined share reaching 75.4% of total imports by 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

Sri Lanka's citrus fruit import value has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 5 950 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 29.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 934 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 40.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—South Africa, Egypt, and Australia—together accounted for 70.9% of Sri Lanka's total citrus fruit imports by 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