Dried shelled beans market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled beans in Sri Lanka experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Starting from 48 160 tons in 2018, market volume declined to 34 986 tons by 2020, then dropped sharply to 18 597 tons in 2021. A partial recovery followed, reaching 21 616 tons in 2022 before easing to 19 697 tons in 2023.

This trajectory was largely shaped by a dramatic contraction in imports, which fell from over 30 000 tons in 2018 to just 361 tons in 2021. Domestic production fluctuated, peaking at 19 707 tons in 2020, but could not offset the loss of imported supply. Exports remained minimal throughout the period.

By 2023, the market had stabilized at around 20 000 tons, well below pre-2018 levels, with domestic output and limited imports constituting the primary sources of beans.

Production dried shelled beans in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

In 2019, Sri Lanka's production of dried shelled beans reached its lowest point at 14 560 tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 17.7% recorded that year. However, production rebounded sharply in 2020, reaching 19 707 tonnes—a significant 35.3% year-over-year increase. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 30.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point occurred in 2018 at 354 tonnes, which represented a dramatic 69.3% decline—the largest annual drop recorded. Exports then surged by 70.1% in 2019, marking the biggest annual increase. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 477 tonnes of dried shelled beans, representing a substantial 20.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Overall, exports peaked in 2017 and bottomed out in 2018, with the highest volume being 3.3 times greater than the lowest.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates formed the core export markets for dried shelled beans from Sri Lanka. The United States accounted for 27.4% of exports by volume, Malaysia for 13.5%, and the United Arab Emirates for 11.8%. Together, these three markets represented 52.8% of Sri Lanka's total export flows during this period.

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

Sri Lanka's dried shelled bean exports in monetary terms showed mixed trends. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 438 thousand US dollars, accompanied by the largest annual decline of 69.5%. Exports then recovered in 2019 with a 22.8% increase—the largest annual gain. In 2020, exports reached 601 thousand US dollars, marking the second consecutive year of growth with an 11.8% increase compared to 2019. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, export values decreased by 58.2%, averaging an annual decline of 25.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Maldives, and the United Arab Emirates were the most significant markets for Sri Lanka's dried shelled bean exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 33.1% of export value, Maldives for 10.7%, and the United Arab Emirates for 10.3%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 54.1% of Sri Lanka's total export value during this four-year period.

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 dried shelled beans to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

Sri Lanka's imports of dried shelled beans declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 15 756 tonnes—a sharp 47.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 56.9%, with an average annual decline rate of 24.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Myanmar, Australia, and Argentina were the primary sources of dried shelled bean imports to Sri Lanka by volume. Myanmar accounted for 43.1% of imports, Australia for 11.6%, and Argentina for 10.9%. Together, these three countries supplied 65.6% of Sri Lanka's total import volume during this period.

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

In 2020, Sri Lanka's imports of dried shelled beans in monetary terms totaled 15 091 thousand US dollars, representing a sudden 41.0% decline compared to 2019. The largest annual decrease occurred in 2018 at 41.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 24.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values decreased by 57.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Myanmar, Australia, and Argentina remained Sri Lanka's key trading partners for dried shelled bean imports in value terms. Myanmar accounted for 43.2% of import value, Australia for 12.5%, and Argentina for 10.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 66.3% of Sri Lanka's total import value during this four-year span.

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

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