Dried shelled legumes market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Sri Lanka saw a gradual decline in volume from 2018 to 2020, partly due to dry weather conditions in 2019 that reduced domestic production, contributing to a smaller market size. During this period, regulatory developments such as the expansion of organic certification by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute supported growth in niche segments, while new import regulations requiring advance payments began affecting trade flows.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, driven by global supply chain disruptions and domestic fuel price increases that severely constrained imports, drastically reducing market volume. Earlier, the ban on chemical fertilizer imports from 2020 onward increased production costs, and fuel shortages in 2021 raised transportation expenses, impacting distribution logistics and market stability.

By 2023, the market volume rebounded significantly as import levels recovered, bringing the total close to earlier levels, although specific drivers for this recovery are not highlighted in the available sources.

Production dried shelled legumes in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Sri Lanka's production of dried shelled legumes reached its lowest point at 29,121 tonnes, marking a significant decline of 17.7%. However, production rebounded sharply in 2020, reaching 39,414 tonnes—a dramatic 35.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 30.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of dried shelled legumes from Sri Lanka showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest level at 5.0 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial decline of 68.5%. By 2020, exports had surged to 30.0 thousand tonnes—a remarkable 146.9% year-over-year increase. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 6 between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020, reflecting an irregular and volatile market environment.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Qatar, and Malaysia remained the primary export markets for Sri Lanka's dried shelled legumes. India accounted for 40.0% of exports in volume, Qatar for 19.9%, and Malaysia for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented 66.9% 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, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legume exports from Sri Lanka experienced notable fluctuations. In 2018, export value reached its lowest point at 4.3 million US dollars, declining by 70.7%. By 2020, export value had peaked at 21.9 million US dollars—a dramatic 206.9% increase compared to the previous year. Overall, export value varied by a factor of 5.1 between the trough in 2018 and the peak in 2020, indicating significant market volatility.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, India, Qatar, and Malaysia were the largest contributors to Sri Lanka's dried shelled legume exports by value. India accounted for 39.4% of export value, Qatar for 18.2%, and Malaysia for 6.5%. Collectively, these three markets represented 64.1% of total export flows in value terms.

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 legumes to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, K t

Sri Lanka's imports of dried shelled legumes increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 275.7 thousand tonnes—a modest 1.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.4%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Canada, and India were the principal suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Sri Lanka. Australia accounted for 42.7% of imports by volume, Canada for 29.4%, and India for 7.4%. Together, these three countries supplied 79.4% of total imports.

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, M $ US

The value of dried shelled legume imports to Sri Lanka increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 159.0 million US dollars—a 10.5% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value actually decreased by 19.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 130.9 million US dollars, marking a decline of 34.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Australia, Canada, and India were the main sources of dried shelled legume imports to Sri Lanka by value. Australia accounted for 38.9% of import value, Canada for 26.5%, and India for 10.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 76.4% of total import 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