Sri Lanka: Tomato Market 2025

Tomato Market Size in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan tomato market reduced to $X in 2022, declining by -6.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a slight downturn. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Production in Sri Lanka

In value terms, tomato production declined sharply to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of tomatoes in Sri Lanka contracted to X tons per ha, with a decrease of -2.2% on the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 15%. The tomato yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 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 tomatoes production in Sri Lanka rose modestly to X ha, growing by 2.7% compared with the year before. In general, the harvested area, however, recorded a perceptible slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to tomato production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Tomato Exports

Exports from Sri Lanka

In 2022, overseas shipments of tomatoes decreased by -98.3% to X kg, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports continue to indicate a sharp reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 114%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tomato exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a sharp descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 27%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Maldives (X kg) was the main destination for tomato exports from Sri Lanka, accounting for a 96% share of total exports. Moreover, tomato exports to Maldives exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Australia (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Maldives amounted to -53.6%.

In value terms, Maldives ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for tomatoes exports from Sri Lanka, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Australia ($X), with a 27% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Maldives amounted to -58.7%.

Export Prices by Country

The average tomato export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 2.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 251% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Maldives amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (-6.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Tomato Imports

Imports into Sri Lanka

In 2022, supplies from abroad of tomatoes increased by 187% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 1,071%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tomato imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 1,918% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of tomato to Sri Lanka, with a 66% share of total imports. Moreover, tomato imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), threefold. Mauritania (X kg) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Netherlands stood at +12.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+55.5% per year) and Mauritania (0.0% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tomatoes to Sri Lanka, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritania ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands stood at +20.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mauritania (0.0% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+41.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average tomato import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 72%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+21.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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