Tomato market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The tomato market in Sri Lanka opened the period with a volume of 100.9 thousand tons in 2018, supported by the widespread cultivation of imported hybrid varieties which boosted yields for farmers. This high production coexisted with inherent market challenges, including significant seasonal price fluctuations and a lack of processing centers to manage surplus, as noted in studies from Jaffna district. These structural issues contributed to a sharp contraction in market volume to 77.9 thousand tons the following year. A recovery to 90.5 thousand tons occurred in 2020, facilitated by efforts to adapt cultivation to climatic changes and the adoption of modern technologies, which helped stabilize output amid price volatility.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a phase of gradual decline, with volume settling at 80.4 thousand tons by 2023. This downward trend aligned with new regulatory pressures, notably the Food (Labelling and Advertising) Regulations introduced in 2022. These rules mandated specific labeling requirements for food products, including tomatoes, and banned certain imagery on packaging, adding compliance complexity for the sector. Concurrently, retail price increases driven by limited supply further constrained consumer demand, reinforcing the contraction in overall market volume during these years.

Production tomato in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka produced 90.5 thousand tons of tomatoes in 2020, marking a significant 16.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 77.9 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 101.4 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 23.2% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 25.4% rise.

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

Exports tomato from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Tomato exports from Sri Lanka reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1.7 tons and peaked in 2018 at 533.1 tons, representing a 319-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 38.1 tons, which was a dramatic 2 183.5% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 99.7% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Maldives accounted for 89.4% of Sri Lanka's total tomato exports in volume, with the remaining share distributed among various smaller destinations.

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 performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Tomato export values from Sri Lanka hit their lowest point in 2019 at 2 thousand US dollars and reached their maximum in 2018 at 1 357 thousand US dollars, showing a 612-fold variation. In 2020, exports totaled 43 thousand US dollars, representing a steep 1 834.4% year-over-year increase. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 99.8% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Maldives and Seychelles dominated Sri Lanka's tomato exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 99.6% 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 tomato to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Tomato imports to Sri Lanka peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 2.2 tons, representing a 50.7% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 26.6% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands (63.3% of imports in volume), the United Arab Emirates (10.7%), and Thailand (9.0%) formed the core group of markets for Sri Lanka's tomato imports, together representing 83.0% 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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Tomato import values for Sri Lanka bottomed out in 2018 at 15 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 7.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 29 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 72.2% contraction from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with an 87.0% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 594.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands consistently accounted for 75.5% of Sri Lanka's total tomato imports in value terms, indicating high concentration on this market, with the remainder shared among other countries.

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

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