Non coniferous roundwood market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for non-coniferous roundwood in Sri Lanka declined from 5.3 million m³ to 5.0 million m³. Domestic production fell steadily each year, while imports, though generally minimal, spiked to 125 thousand m³ in 2021, providing a temporary lift to overall supply.

In 2024, the Ministry of Health introduced new Food Labeling and Advertising Regulations, effective January 1, which may indirectly affect demand for wood-based packaging. The country's economic challenges, including a debt crisis and GDP contraction in 2022-2023, created difficult conditions for the roundwood sector.

Long-term market drivers include forest policy trends emphasizing sustainable practices and deforestation pressures from industrial and household demand for roundwood. A well-developed export-oriented plantation industry, primarily growing eucalypt species, contributes to the supply base.

Production non coniferous roundwood in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

World map of production of non coniferous roundwood, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's non-coniferous roundwood production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5,142 thousand cubic meters of non-coniferous roundwood, which represents a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.9%, averaging an annual decline of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports non coniferous roundwood from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, m³

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 88 cubic meters, which was a sharp drop of 90.4% year-over-year. In contrast, the peak occurred in 2019 with 912 cubic meters, marking the largest increase of 245.5%. The gap between these years was substantial, with a 10.4-fold difference.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, Japan was the leading buyer of non-coniferous roundwood from Sri Lanka, accounting for 71.3% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

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

Market behavior was characterized by volatility over these years. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8.2 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2018, showing a 10.9-fold variation between these two years. In 2020, exported non-coniferous roundwood volumes amounted to 13.5 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 64.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was observed in 2019 at 90.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, Maldives, Slovenia, and Pakistan were the main destinations for non-coniferous roundwood exports from Sri Lanka in value terms. Maldives accounted for 58.2% of exports, Slovenia for 11.5%, and Pakistan for 11.1%, together making up 80.8% 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 non coniferous roundwood to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, m³

The market trend was unstable throughout the timeframe. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 19 cubic meters, which was the largest decline of 99.1%. The peak came in 2020 with 4,157 cubic meters, showing an abrupt rise of 140.7% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 8,989.5%, and the fluctuation between the peak and trough was dramatic, with a 219-fold difference.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sri Lanka in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Over 2017–2020, India, Ghana, and China were the primary sources of non-coniferous roundwood imports to Sri Lanka in volume. India contributed 46.7% of imports, Ghana 21.3%, and China 13.5%, together accounting for 81.4% of total import volume.

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 during the observed period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 13.4 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 97.1%. Peak imports occurred in 2017, with a 34-fold gap between the peak and trough. In 2020, non-coniferous roundwood deliveries to Sri Lanka amounted to 350.5 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a solid gain of 20.7% year-over-year. The largest increase was in 2019 at 2,060.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana, the United States, and Australia were the main sources of non-coniferous roundwood imports to Sri Lanka in value terms. Ghana accounted for 54.4% of imports, the United States for 10.8%, and Australia for 5.5%, together absorbing 70.7% 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