Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Sri Lanka experienced significant shifts between 2018 and 2023, largely tracing the country's coconut production. A severe drought in 2018 constrained yields, but output recovered the following year as private sector estates and desiccated coconut factories worked to maintain supply. This recovery was interrupted in 2020 when global supply chain disruptions, amid broader events, led to a contraction in production and market volume.

Government initiatives to reduce fertilizer costs in 2021 provided a temporary boost to production. However, the market volume fell again in the subsequent years due to a combination of factors. Persistent dry spells, a multi-year shortage of fertilizers, and the large-scale felling of coconut trees for the Bingiriya Free Trade Zone construction in 2019 reduced productive capacity. Further challenges came from land fragmentation, the conversion of coconut lands to other uses, and impacts from pests and diseases, contributing to a decline in market volume to 2 007 K t by 2023.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Sri Lanka ranked as the 5th largest producer of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Sri Lanka's production volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews declined. In 2020, production reached 2 267 thousand tonnes, marking a 9.4% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 14.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 504 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 16.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The export market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 40 098 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 77 477 tonnes, showing a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's exports of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews totaled 55 028 tonnes, representing a 29.0% year-over-year contraction. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 93.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for these products in kind was diverse. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (17.4% of exports), Pakistan (15.2%), and India (12.7%)—collectively accounted for 45.3% of total flows, while the remaining 54.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 cross-border shipments of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews were valued at 92 425 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 7.2% year-over-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 87 406 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 99 591 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 11.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market in value terms was broad-based. The top three markets—the United States (15.3% of exports), India (10.9%), and Canada (8.9%)—together made up 35.1% of total flows, with the remaining 64.9% shared by many other countries.

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 coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 631 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 3 758 tonnes, resulting in a sixfold swing. In 2020, Sri Lanka's import volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews decreased by 14.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 80.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 60.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Indonesia, Tanzania, and Mozambique—collectively accounted for 80.0% of Sri Lanka's total imports in kind of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews.

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 import market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their highest level in 2018 at 5 619 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest in 2020 at 945 thousand US dollars, showing a 5.9-fold amplitude. In 2020, imports declined by 22.7% compared to 2019. The largest decrease was recorded in 2019 at 78.2%, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, three major markets—Indonesia, Tanzania, and Vietnam—dominated imports in value terms, together accounting for 76.1% 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