Leguminous vegetables market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh leguminous vegetables in Sri Lanka fluctuated between 162.6 thousand tons in 2018 and 149.9 thousand tons in 2023. After a drop to 146.9 thousand tons in 2019, production and consumption surged to 178.9 thousand tons in 2020, followed by a gradual contraction over the next three years.

In 2024, new Food Act regulations introduced stricter labeling requirements for vegetable products, including mandatory declaration of animal-origin ingredients. Simultaneously, government gazette notifications brought fresh fruits and vegetables under formal quality control, while pre-election uncertainty triggered episodes of panic buying, impacting short-term demand stability.

Production leguminous vegetables in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Sri Lanka ranked as the 18th largest producer of leguminous vegetables worldwide.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 179.3 thousand tonnes of leguminous vegetables, marking a significant increase of 21.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 147.6 thousand tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 9.3% during this timeframe.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 383.9 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, reflecting a decrease of 43.2% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 676.0 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 107.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Sri Lanka's leguminous vegetable exports were Maldives (59.3% of export volume), the United Arab Emirates (12.4%), and Australia (5.9%). Together, these three markets accounted for 77.5% 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, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported leguminous vegetables worth 857 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial decline of 19.0% year-over-year. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 1 057 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 156.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the principal buyers of Sri Lanka's leguminous vegetables by value were Maldives (49.9% of export value), the United Arab Emirates (11.2%), and Australia (8.2%). These three markets collectively accounted for 69.4% of total export value.

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 leguminous vegetables to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, showing a 586-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported 0.3 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, which was 61.0% lower than the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 148.0 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 99.6%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 20 392.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and Myanmar dominated Sri Lanka's leguminous vegetable imports by volume, together accounting for 97.0% of total import flows, with other partners playing a supplementary role.

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 reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 168-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's imports of leguminous vegetables totaled 1 thousand US dollars, representing a 66.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 116 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 98.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 3 537.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Thailand remained the dominant source for Sri Lanka's leguminous vegetable imports by value, accounting for 72.8% of total import flows, with the remainder fragmented across other markets.

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

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