Millet market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The millet market in Sri Lanka showed significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume fell from 12 967 t in 2018 to a low of 7 861 t in 2020, then recovered to 11 296 t in 2022 before declining to 9 785 t in 2023. These movements were closely tied to changes in national agricultural policy and a strategic shift toward organic production.

Frequent changes in agricultural regulations created uncertainty in 2020, discouraging stakeholders and contributing to a 31% contraction in the market. The rebound in 2021 and 2022 coincided with the government's introduction of organic agriculture as a development strategy and its ban on inorganic fertilizer imports, which encouraged the adoption of organic practices and supported domestic millet cultivation. In 2023, the market adjusted downward despite government incentives to improve farmers' market linkages.

Production millet in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka produced 6,355 tonnes of millet in 2020, marking a 14.7% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5,542 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 8,117 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 31.7%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 44.7%.

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

Exports millet from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2018, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 3 tonnes of millet, representing a sharp gain of 104.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was 21 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 92.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 1,521.0%.

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 millet exports in kind were France, accounting for 64.0% of exports, Australia with 15.1%, and Saudi Arabia at 12.5%. Together, these three countries represented 91.6% 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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, millet shipments from Sri Lanka abroad reached 6,000 US dollars, corresponding to a steep rise of 130.0% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3,000 US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 9,000 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 72.0%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 170.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Australia, and Saudi Arabia remained the principal buyers of millet from Sri Lanka in value terms. France accounted for 44.8% of exports, Australia for 31.5%, and Saudi Arabia for 6.8%, jointly representing 83.0% 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 millet to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2020 and the highest in 2019, showing a 3.9-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of millet to Sri Lanka reached 1,509 tonnes, which is 74.3% lower compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5,864 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the dominant direction for imports in kind, with a share of 79.1% of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values hit their lowest point in 2020 and their maximum in 2019, with a 4.3-fold amplitude between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported approximately 667,000 US dollars of millet, amounting to a steep drop of 76.8% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2,878,000 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 49.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, India was the primary direction for imports in value terms, accounting for 81.1% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

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