Sri Lanka: Ink Market 2025

Ink Market Size in Sri Lanka

In 2021, the Sri Lankan ink market decreased by -2.2% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, consumption recorded a abrupt slump. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Ink Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

Ink exports from Sri Lanka shrank markedly to X tons in 2021, which is down by -56.8% against the year before. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 141%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ink exports shrank significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 237% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Oman (X tons) was the main destination for ink exports from Sri Lanka, with a 58% share of total exports. Moreover, ink exports to Oman exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X kg), sixfold. Maldives (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Oman stood at +77.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+1.7% per year) and Maldives (+44.7% per year).

In value terms, Jordan ($X), the UK ($X) and the United States ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for ink exported from Sri Lanka worldwide, with a combined 45% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Indonesia, Oman, Maldives, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Poland, Germany and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for a further 37%.

Malaysia, with a CAGR of +101.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average ink export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 72% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (+16.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Ink Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2021, approx. X tons of inks (excluding printing ink) were imported into Sri Lanka; with a decrease of -5.5% on 2020. Overall, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 67% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, ink imports fell to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 76%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), China (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of ink imports to Sri Lanka, with a combined 59% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Thailand, the UK, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for a further 8.8%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +20.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest ink suppliers to Sri Lanka were India ($X), Germany ($X) and China ($X), with a combined 35% share of total imports. The Netherlands, Japan, the UK, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +20.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average ink import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 3.3% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 19%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the price for Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+23.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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