Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Sri Lanka showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2020. After a contraction to 4 904 t in 2019 from 6 347 t the previous year, largely due to the persistent constraint of coffee leaf rust on production, the market rebounded sharply to 6 731 t in 2020. This recovery was driven by a peak in export prices for roasted coffee, which incentivized local growers, alongside continued international investment in the specialty coffee segment from Japanese and European players.

From 2021, the market entered a downward trend, falling to 5 301 t as a sharp drop in export prices reduced producer profitability and COVID-19 related supply chain disruptions persisted. The decline continued to 4 823 t in 2022, with limited green coffee production despite growing domestic consumption of instant coffee. By 2023, the market stabilized at 4 748 t, supported by the development of the specialty coffee sector through local initiatives and events, even as production faced ongoing challenges from pests and diseases.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

World map of production of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka produced 6,725 tonnes of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in 2020, marking a 37.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 23.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4,887 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 24.2%.

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

Exports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with an 86-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported 3.3 tonnes of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, representing a 55.4% increase from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 171.0 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 98.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 8,522.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Maldives and the United Kingdom were the main buyers of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee from Sri Lanka, together accounting for 95.5% of total exports by volume. The remaining share was 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 performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values were lowest in 2017 and highest in 2018, with a 133-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sri Lanka exported $34,000 worth of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, a sharp increase of 32.4% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at $2,505,000. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 99.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13,180.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Maldives was the dominant destination for Sri Lanka's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports in value terms, accounting for 81.8% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across several 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 unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their peak in 2018, with a 9.3-fold difference. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported 9.7 tonnes of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, showing a sharp decline of 50.0% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 73.0 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 73.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 828.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, India and Malaysia were the primary sources for Sri Lanka's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee by volume, with other markets playing a smaller role individually.

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

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2020 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, representing a 6.1-fold shift. In 2020, Sri Lanka imported $18,000 worth of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, a 31.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $111,000. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 75.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 252.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (37.4% of import value), Malaysia (24.2%), and the United States (18.1%) were the key partners for Sri Lanka's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in value terms. Together, they accounted for 79.7% 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