Sri Lanka: Paddy Rice Market 2025

Paddy Rice Market Size in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan paddy rice market expanded sharply to $X in 2022, picking up by 9.2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Paddy Rice Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, paddy rice production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 79%. Paddy rice production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of paddy rice in Sri Lanka rose slightly to X tons per ha in 2022, picking up by 2.5% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% 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 2019 when the yield increased by 27%. The paddy rice yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of paddy rice production in Sri Lanka shrank to X ha, dropping by -2.7% compared with the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the paddy rice harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Paddy Rice Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2022, exports of paddy rice from Sri Lanka skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 756% compared with the year before. Overall, exports showed significant growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paddy rice exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports saw a significant expansion. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Maldives (X tons), Australia (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main destinations of paddy rice exports from Sri Lanka, with a combined 37% share of total exports. Qatar, Kuwait, France, Canada, the UK, Switzerland and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 53%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +77.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Australia ($X), Maldives ($X) and Qatar ($X) constituted the largest markets for paddy rice exported from Sri Lanka worldwide, with a combined 36% share of total exports. The United States, France, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Italy and Kuwait lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 53%.

France, with a CAGR of +79.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among 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 paddy rice export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, paddy rice export price increased by +70.3% against 2014 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 35% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kuwait ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Kuwait (+21.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paddy Rice Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2022, purchases abroad of paddy rice decreased by -98.7% to X tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. In general, imports saw a dramatic setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 101%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then fell markedly in the following year.

In value terms, paddy rice imports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 93% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Vietnam (X tons) was the main paddy rice supplier to Sri Lanka, accounting for a 96% share of total imports. It was followed by the Philippines (X kg), with a 1.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Vietnam was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Philippines (+5.0% per year) and Pakistan (-52.2% per year).

In value terms, Vietnam ($X) constituted the largest supplier of paddy rice to Sri Lanka, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Philippines ($X), with a 7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Vietnam was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Philippines (+7.3% per year) and Pakistan (-50.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average paddy rice import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 222% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a buoyant expansion. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Pakistan (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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