Non wood fibre pulp market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-wood fibre pulp in Sri Lanka increased from 18 500 t in 2018 to 22 257 t in 2021, then eased to 21 520 t by 2023. Domestic production remained unchanged at 18 500 t annually, so all market movements reflected import trends.

Imports rose sharply from 563 t in 2018 to 3 757 t in 2021, expanding the market. The subsequent import decline in 2022 and 2023 reduced the overall market size. In 2022, a measured exchange rate adjustment by the Central Bank, a widening trade deficit, and global pulp price fluctuations made imports more expensive and subdued demand.

Underlying the market, ecological considerations and timber shortages have encouraged the use of agricultural waste for composite materials, while a government ban on asbestos roofing has created demand for alternative fibre-based products, supporting a longer-term shift towards non-wood fibres.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sri Lanka produced 18 500 tonnes of non-wood fibre pulp, showing no significant change from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.0 tonnes, marking a 66.1% reduction from the previous year. In contrast, the highest exports were recorded in 2018 at 563 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 1 166 847.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 100.0%, resulting in a 14 079-fold gap between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates dominated the partner structure of exports in kind, consistently accounting for 99.9% 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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2017, while the highest was observed in 2018 at 195 000 US dollars, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2 046 times. In 2020, non-wood fibre pulp exports from Sri Lanka totalled 2 000 US dollars, representing a gain of 547.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 99.9%, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 204 525.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of non-wood fibre pulp from Sri Lanka were highly concentrated on the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 99.0% 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 non wood fibre pulp to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports dropped to a minimum in 2018 at 563 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 19.9%. Volumes then climbed to their maximum in 2020 at 1 960 tonnes, amounting to a rise of 21.4% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 186.5%, resulting in a 3.5-fold shift between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and New Zealand were the main suppliers of non-wood fibre pulp to Sri Lanka in kind, accounting for 41.3%, 37.6%, and 9.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they formed 88.4% of total imports in kind.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports in value terms dropped to a minimum in 2018 at 242 000 US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 32.8%. Volumes then climbed to their maximum in 2020 at 1 016 000 US dollars, reflecting a solid rise of 16.1% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 262.3%, resulting in a 4.2-fold shift between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, India, and New Zealand formed the main group of destinations for imports in value terms of non-wood fibre pulp to Sri Lanka, accounting for 37.7%, 36.2%, and 11.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 85.2% of total flows.

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

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