Dried shelled cow peas market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled cow peas in Sri Lanka showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Volume grew by over 20% in 2019 to reach 16 575 t and edged up to a peak of 17 116 t in 2020. This expansion was abruptly reversed in 2021 when the market contracted by 30% to 11 912 t.

A strong recovery of 25% followed in 2022, lifting the market to 14 848 t, but another downturn occurred in 2023 with volume falling by 14% to 12 808 t. Import levels fluctuated widely during this period, with a high of 8 521 t in 2019 significantly bolstering supply before dropping to negligible amounts from 2021 onward.

In 2024, specific agronomic practices such as sun-drying seeds to reduce moisture, controlling pests including fruit flies, and following soil and crop rotation guidelines directly influenced domestic cowpea production and market supply. This period saw a return of notable import volume, which rose to 2 134 t.

Production dried shelled cow peas in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Sri Lanka ranked as the 24th largest producer of dried shelled cow peas from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of dried shelled cow peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled cow peas, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 13 216 tonnes of dried shelled cow peas, marking a 63.8% increase compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 8 067 tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 54.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 15.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 27.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled cow peas from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

Dried shelled cow peas exports from Sri Lanka increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 60 tonnes, representing a substantial 358.7% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 2 887.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 210.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Turkey, the United Kingdom, and France—collectively accounted for 83.7% of Sri Lanka's total exports of dried shelled cow peas in volume terms.

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 cow peas export value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the export value reached 63 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp gain of 274.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 1 401.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 146.7%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Turkey (40.8% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (29.4%), and France (14.1%) emerged as the primary markets for Sri Lanka's dried shelled cow peas exports in value terms, together representing 84.3% 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 dried shelled cow peas to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 2 406 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 8 521 tonnes, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's imports of dried shelled cow peas totaled 3 959 tonnes, which is 53.5% lower than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 67.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 254.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Madagascar (40.3% of imports in volume terms), Myanmar (27.7%), and India (17.0%) were the main suppliers of dried shelled cow peas to Sri Lanka, together comprising 85.1% of total imports in volume terms.

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 data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 281 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2017, resulting in a 5.1-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's imports of dried shelled cow peas stood at 3 233 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a sharp drop of 46.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 80.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 372.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Madagascar (38.4% of imports in value terms), Myanmar (29.8%), and India (16.1%) played leading roles in Sri Lanka's imports of dried shelled cow peas in value terms, jointly accounting for 84.3% of total import 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