Potato market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market in Sri Lanka experienced significant shifts between 2018 and 2020. A sudden ban on importing agrochemicals in 2018 raised production costs and constrained output, contributing to a market size of 251.5 thousand tons that relied heavily on imports. Efforts to uplift the local seed potato sector through public-private partnerships in 2019 helped increase domestic production to 101.6 thousand tons, though it still met only 35% of national demand. However, ongoing challenges from high input costs, pest pressures, and persistent import restrictions on agrochemicals led to a sharp drop in production to 65.1 thousand tons and a contraction of the total market to 194.5 thousand tons in 2020.

Policy changes influenced the market from 2021 onward. A reduction in import duty on potatoes that year lowered wholesale prices, for instance to Rs. 110 per kilogram, affecting consumer access while the overall market volume remained stable at 194.4 thousand tons. In the following years, domestic production continued to decline, falling to 40.7 thousand tons by 2023, due to enduring cost and disease challenges. This was offset by rising imports, which allowed the total market volume to grow, reaching 209.7 thousand tons in 2023.

Import volumes continued to ascend, reaching 180.9 thousand tons in 2024, underscoring the market's ongoing dependence on foreign supply to meet domestic consumption needs amid persistent local production constraints.

Production potato in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Sri Lanka saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 101.6 thousand tons, but then dropped to 65.1 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 36.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 11.3%, with an average annual decline of 3.9%. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 21.2%.

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

Exports potato from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, K t

Potato exports from Sri Lanka experienced significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while exports peaked in 2018, showing a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 0.1 thousand tons, which was 5.2% higher than in 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 52.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 152.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Sri Lankan potatoes were Maldives, accounting for 38.8% of exports in kind, Canada with 34.5%, and the United States at 14.2%. Together, these three countries represented 87.5% of total potato exports in kind from Sri Lanka.

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 for potato exports in value terms showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 and their lowest in 2020, with an 11-fold variation between these years. In 2020, potato deliveries from Sri Lanka totaled 34 thousand US dollars, down 47.3% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 373 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 82.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 741.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Maldives and Canada were the dominant partners in Sri Lanka's potato exports in value terms, with other countries making up the remainder of the share.

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 potato to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, K t

Potato imports into Sri Lanka declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 129.5 thousand tons, a decrease of 10.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 15.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 5.4%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 162.8 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 11.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 6.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal suppliers of potatoes to Sri Lanka were Pakistan, contributing 57.2% of imports in kind, China with 18.4%, and India at 16.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 92.0% of total potato 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

Potato imports into Sri Lanka in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 42 710 thousand US dollars, a strong gain of 19.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.8%, with an average annual increase of 4.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 29 238 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 21.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 22.1% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners in Sri Lanka's potato imports in value terms were Pakistan, accounting for 49.2%, China with 19.6%, and India at 19.0%. Together, these three countries represented 87.8% of total import 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