Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Sri Lanka

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Sri Lanka displayed pronounced volatility in physical volume from 2018 to 2023. After an initial decline from 750.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 623.3 thousand tonnes in 2019, consumption surged to 862.8 thousand tonnes in 2020. This was followed by a moderate decrease to 811.5 thousand tonnes in 2021 and a sharp contraction to 572.8 thousand tonnes in 2022, before a recovery to 648.5 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, falling from 310.1 million USD in 2018 to 255.7 million USD in 2019, then rising to 340.5 million USD in 2020 and 372.7 million USD in 2021. The market value declined to 290.4 million USD in 2022 before increasing again to 351.5 million USD in 2023. Domestic production volumes fluctuated in tandem, while import volumes saw a significant spike to 233.9 thousand tonnes in 2022.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Sri Lanka

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Sri Lanka's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals increased after two years of decline. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 691.2 thousand tons, marking a 12.1% decrease. However, in 2020, production rebounded to 927.6 thousand tons, representing a significant 34.2% year-over-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 13.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Sri Lanka was at its minimum, totaling 283.5 million US dollars, reflecting a 12.8% decline. The following year, in 2020, production value rose to 366.2 million US dollars, up by 29.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the total increase in production value was 22.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sri Lanka in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Sri Lanka

Exports in kind, t

Exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Sri Lanka showed notable fluctuations during this period. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 43 686 tons, with a 24.3% decline. The following year, in 2019, exports surged by 70.2%. By 2020, exports reached 82 175 tons, marking a 10.5% increase from 2019 and representing the peak, with a 1.9-fold difference compared to the 2018 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Sri Lanka's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in volume terms were Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Thailand accounted for 23.9% of exports, Malaysia for 22.0%, and Singapore for 20.4%. Together, these three countries made up 66.3% of total exports in kind.

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

Exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Sri Lanka in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, the value was at its minimum, totaling 18 055 thousand US dollars, with a 14.2% decline. In 2019, exports saw a substantial rise of 68.9%. By 2020, export value reached 32 443 thousand US dollars, up by 6.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 54.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 15.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of Sri Lanka's wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms were Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Thailand represented 21.1% of exports, Singapore 20.8%, and Malaysia 20.6%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 62.6% of total exports in value.

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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Sri Lanka

Imports in kind, t

Imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals into Sri Lanka displayed an unstable trend. In 2017, imports were at their minimum. In 2019, imports declined by 17.4%. However, in 2020, imports surged to 17 439 tons, which is 169.9% higher than in 2019 and represents the peak, with a 3.5-fold variation compared to the 2017 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Turkey were the main sources for Sri Lanka's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 85.4% of total imports in kind, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

Imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals into Sri Lanka in value terms experienced noticeable fluctuations. In 2017, imports were at their lowest point. In 2019, imports declined by 14.4%. By 2020, imports peaked at 6 725 thousand US dollars, showing a 146.7% increase from the previous year and a 3.5-fold difference compared to the 2017 minimum.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, India and Turkey dominated Sri Lanka's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms, jointly accounting for 84.2% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

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