Sri Lanka: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan lentil market dropped to $X in 2022, reducing by -3.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Lentil Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2022, overseas shipments of lentils decreased by -62.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports faced a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 829%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lentil exports dropped remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 894%. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

India (X tons) was the main destination for lentil exports from Sri Lanka, with a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, lentil exports to India exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (X tons), sevenfold. Qatar (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to India totaled -3.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (-7.9% per year) and Qatar (-2.4% per year).

In value terms, India ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for lentils exports from Sri Lanka, comprising 70% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Malaysia ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Qatar, with a 9.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to India was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (-4.1% per year) and Qatar (+2.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lentil export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 25% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were France ($X per ton) and Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Maldives ($X per ton) and India ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Qatar (+5.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lentil Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in supplies from abroad of lentils, when their volume decreased by -26.3% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, lentil imports expanded sharply to $X in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +77.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Australia (X tons) constituted the largest lentil supplier to Sri Lanka, accounting for a 82% share of total imports. Moreover, lentil imports from Australia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Canada (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Australia stood at +1.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (+0.0% per year) and India (+32.1% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lentils to Sri Lanka, comprising 81% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($X), with a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Australia totaled +6.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (+3.2% per year) and India (+42.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lentil import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lentil import price increased by +121.2% against 2018 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Canada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+7.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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