Edible brassicas market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh edible brassicas in Sri Lanka expanded from 112.5 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 131.0 thousand tons in 2021, with the increase closely tracking domestic production as imports and exports were minimal.

After 2021, market volume contracted to 118.1 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 102.0 thousand tons in 2023, paralleling a decline in production over the same period.

In 2024, the government called for applications to operate Agri Fresh vegetable and fruit outlets in Gannoruwa and Peradeniya, aiming to support modern marketing infrastructure. Authorities also reviewed import and export control regulations, which may influence market access and conditions for brassicas.

Production edible brassicas in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's edible brassicas production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 129.0 thousand tons of edible brassicas, which represents a 7.8% increase over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 26.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 727 times. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 20.1 tons of edible brassicas, corresponding to a dramatic year-over-year increase of 1,263.8%. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 269.8 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 99.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 72,595.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives and Kuwait remained the two key markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 98.8% of total 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values reached their trough in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 465-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 16.3 thousand US dollars worth of edible brassicas, equivalent to an abrupt year-over-year gain of 627.6%. The maximum export value was recorded in 2018 at 723.0 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 99.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 46,421.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Maldives almost fully determined the geographical structure of exports in value terms for edible brassicas from Sri Lanka, with a share of 92.2% of total 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 edible brassicas to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, differing by 69-fold. In 2020, Sri Lanka's edible brassicas import volume came to 38.6 tons, which is 58.2% lower compared to the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.3 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 92.2 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 98.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 6,808.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Belgium were the core markets for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 89.9% of total flows, whereas other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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 market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values fell to their lowest point in 2018 and registered their peak in 2019, with an amplitude of 28 times. In 2020, Sri Lanka's edible brassicas imports amounted to 24.6 thousand US dollars, which is 54.3% lower compared to the previous year. The minimum import value was recorded in 2018 at 1.9 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 53.9 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 96.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 2,738.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was shaped primarily by the Netherlands and Belgium, which together accounted for 81.5% of total flows; other markets formed a long tail.

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

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