Poultry meat and offal market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal market volume expanded from 429 thousand tons in 2018 to 471 thousand tons in 2023, despite periodic fluctuations. This growth was primarily supported by government policies fostering the establishment of modern abattoirs and meat processing plants with integrated technology, which enhanced production capacity as the industry shifted from backyard to commercial scale. Concurrently, increasing exports to destinations like the Middle East and Maldives provided additional stimulus for production.

The market experienced a temporary contraction in 2020 due to supply chain disruptions and trade setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a strong recovery followed in 2021, fueled by a significant increase in chicken population and meat output, alongside rising consumer preference for locally sourced and organic poultry products.

After reaching a peak in 2021, market volume dipped slightly in 2022 before stabilizing in 2023. During this period, export volumes continued their substantial growth, and industry efforts intensified to improve product quality, cold chain infrastructure, and compliance with international food safety standards, supporting the market's overall upward trajectory.

Production poultry meat and offal in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, production reached 432.4 K t, marking a modest decrease of 3.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 448.1 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 6.6%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 49 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 675 t, representing a 74-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 1 736 t of poultry meat and offal, a decrease of 52.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 97.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2019 at 7 326.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the dominant destination for Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms, accounting for 70.3% of total flows. Other countries each held substantially smaller shares.

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 showed volatility during these years. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 251 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 619 K $ US, with a 10.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal exports totaled 1 960 K $ US, representing a sharp decline of 25.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 71.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2019 at 941.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and the Maldives were the primary destinations for Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms, together accounting for 84.3% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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 poultry meat and offal to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 129 t, showing a sharp reduction of 34.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 52.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 22.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 278 t, while the largest increase occurred in the same year at 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (36.3% of imports in volume), Brazil (31.3%), and the United States (16.9%) consistently held leading positions in Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal import structure, together accounting for 84.6% of total flows.

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

Sri Lanka's poultry meat and offal import value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 186 K $ US, representing a 46.0% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 75.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 37.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—Thailand, Brazil, and the United States—collectively accounted for 80.8% of Sri Lanka's total poultry meat and offal imports in value terms.

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

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