Largest market shown
Not reported
$1.7B of latest reported imports and $843.7M of calculated three-year opportunity.
Importer opportunity guide
Sri Lanka import opportunities
where to source next
Explore Sri Lanka's import market by product, supplier concentration, demand growth, and sourcing gaps. Use reported market size and calculated indicators to decide where deeper supplier research may be useful.
Latest imports$18.8B2024 reported value
Import CAGR-3.9%Three-year reported change
GDP$99.0BLatest reported value
GDP per capita$4.5KLatest reported value
Trade openness26.0%Reported share of GDP
Sri Lanka import opportunities
What makes this an attractive import market?
Compare market size and growth with supplier concentration. A large market may still need product, quality, tariff, logistics, and buyer validation.
Current import base
$18.8B in imports
Sri Lanka recorded $18.8B in imports in 2024, with a three-year change of -3.9%.
How to use the guide
Compare demand with supply
Start with the highest-value products, then review supplier concentration and market conditions before choosing a sourcing route.
Import market overview
Find products where demand and sourcing options meet
This page separates reported import observations from calculated indicators so market size is not mistaken for a guaranteed sourcing opportunity.
Sri Lanka imports products from suppliers across major trade regions. The current profile reports $18.8B of imports in 2024, while the opportunity view highlights product and supplier combinations where market demand and supply context may justify further research.
Use the opportunity table to compare product market size, demand growth, supplier counts, concentration, and projected imports. High concentration can indicate reliance on a small supplier base; it can also reflect specialized products that require careful validation.
Top import opportunities
Products and supplier context to review
The top 50 screened products are ranked by calculated three-year opportunity. Reported market values and calculated indicators are labeled separately.
| Rank | Product | Market size | Demand growth | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Projected imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HS 271019Product description unavailable | $1.7BLatest imports | +8.9% | 47 | 2655 | SGPDeclining | $2.2B |
| 2 | HS 270900Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude | $617.5MLatest imports | +3.4% | 5 | 9999 | AREDeclining | $682.8M |
| 3 | HS 270119Coal: (other than anthracite and bituminous), whether or not pulverised but not agglomerated | $266.5MLatest imports | +44.5% | 6 | 9271 | RUSDeclining | $520.5M |
| 4 | HS 271012Product description unavailable | $808.2MLatest imports | +12.8% | 22 | 2770 | SGPDeclining | $1.2B |
| 5 | HS 842619Cranes: transporter, gantry and bridge cranes | $232.2MLatest imports | +10.2% | 7 | 9961 | CHNDeclining | $310.3M |
| 6 | HS 271119Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, n.e.c. in heading no. 2711 | $255.4MLatest imports | +12.9% | 9 | 5319 | OMNDeclining | $367.4M |
| 7 | HS 890120Tankers | $127.6MLatest imports | +52.8% | 2 | 9999 | INDDeclining | $249.1M |
| 8 | HS 170199Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter | $340.1MLatest imports | +7.7% | 23 | 3708 | INDDeclining | $425.0M |
| 9 | HS 300490Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.s. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | $292.9MLatest imports | +7.1% | 64 | 3673 | INDDeclining | $360.0M |
| 10 | HS 151319Vegetable oils: coconut (copra) oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | $169.7MLatest imports | +31.9% | 13 | 4628 | IDNDeclining | $331.5M |
| 11 | HS 040221Dairy produce: milk and cream, concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, in powder, granules or other solid forms, of a fat content exceeding 1.5% (by weight) | $184.7MLatest imports | +3.4% | 15 | 9887 | NZLDeclining | $204.3M |
| 12 | HS 100199Cereals: wheat and meslin, other than durum wheat, other than seed | $253.4MLatest imports | +2.4% | 8 | 4690 | RUSDeclining | $271.8M |
| 13 | HS 271112Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane | $97.8MLatest imports | +31.8% | 5 | 7339 | OMNGrowing | $191.0M |
| 14 | HS 851712Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks | $139.5MLatest imports | +9.2% | 52 | 7537 | CHNDeclining | $181.6M |
| 15 | HS 230400Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soya-bean oil | $141.3MLatest imports | +9.0% | 7 | 7469 | USADeclining | $183.0M |
| 16 | HS 890520Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms | $77.2MLatest imports | +62.8% | 1 | 10000 | INDDeclining | $150.8M |
| 17 | HS 854140Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light emitting diodes | $108.0MLatest imports | +20.5% | 39 | 6426 | CHNDeclining | $188.9M |
| 18 | HS 600410Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics of a width exceeding 30 cm, other than those of heading 60.01, containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn but not containing rubber thread | $313.2MLatest imports | +13.5% | 42 | 2143 | CHNDeclining | $457.5M |
| 19 | HS 071340Vegetables, leguminous: lentils, shelled, whether or not skinned or split, dried | $114.1MLatest imports | +5.2% | 13 | 7409 | AUSDeclining | $132.7M |
| 20 | HS 711319Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof | $83.9MLatest imports | +14.1% | 22 | 7788 | AREDeclining | $124.4M |
| 21 | HS 710812Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) | $90.0MLatest imports | +7.3% | 7 | 9282 | AREDeclining | $111.2M |
| 22 | HS 710811Metals: gold, non-monetary, powder | $54.1MLatest imports | +59.0% | 2 | 9942 | AREDeclining | $105.6M |
| 23 | HS 600622Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of cotton, dyed | $136.1MLatest imports | +5.4% | 30 | 4570 | INDDeclining | $159.4M |
| 24 | HS 100630Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | $92.2MLatest imports | +7.5% | 17 | 7392 | INDDeclining | $114.6M |
| 25 | HS 842611Cranes: overhead travelling cranes on fixed support | $56.4MLatest imports | +19.9% | 7 | 9485 | CHNDeclining | $97.2M |
| 26 | HS 090421Spices: fruits of the genus Capsicum or Pimenta, dried, neither crushed nor ground | $78.7MLatest imports | +6.9% | 6 | 9592 | INDGrowing | $96.2M |
| 27 | HS 722592Steel, alloy: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.s. in heading no. 7225, plated or coated with zinc (other than electrolytically) | $48.8MLatest imports | +22.0% | 3 | 9985 | CHNDeclining | $88.5M |
| 28 | HS 850440Electrical static converters | $80.8MLatest imports | +10.3% | 69 | 6620 | CHNDeclining | $108.4M |
| 29 | HS 710239Diamonds: non-industrial, (other than unworked or simply sawn, cleaved or bruted), but not mounted or set | $102.8MLatest imports | +9.7% | 13 | 4437 | ISRSlowing | $135.8M |
| 30 | HS 950300Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys: dolls' carriages: dolls: other toys: reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not: puzzles of all kinds | $65.1MLatest imports | +8.5% | 45 | 9539 | CHNDeclining | $83.2M |
| 31 | HS 070310Vegetables, alliaceous: onions and shallots, fresh or chilled | $134.1MLatest imports | +7.4% | 26 | 4169 | INDDeclining | $166.1M |
| 32 | HS 721070Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plastics | $65.8MLatest imports | +15.3% | 12 | 5776 | CHNDeclining | $101.0M |
| 33 | HS 720711Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel: containing by weight less than 0.25% of carbon, of rectangular (including square) cross-section, width less than twice thickness | $127.2MLatest imports | +12.6% | 7 | 2572 | IDNDeclining | $181.6M |
| 34 | HS 740811Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm | $65.0MLatest imports | +11.1% | 6 | 6526 | AREDeclining | $89.2M |
| 35 | HS 871410Motorcycles (including mopeds): parts and accessories | $65.2MLatest imports | +11.5% | 28 | 6226 | INDDeclining | $90.4M |
| 36 | HS 540752Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyed | $75.8MLatest imports | +5.6% | 25 | 5130 | CHNDeclining | $89.1M |
| 37 | HS 721049Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not electrolytically) | $49.8MLatest imports | +8.4% | 15 | 9469 | CHNDeclining | $63.4M |
| 38 | HS 070320Vegetables, alliaceous: garlic, fresh or chilled | $46.3MLatest imports | +9.3% | 4 | 9935 | CHNDeclining | $60.5M |
| 39 | HS 880240Aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg | $102.7MLatest imports | -0.1% | 5 | 4983 | FRADeclining | $102.4M |
| 40 | HS 280300Carbon: carbon blacks and other forms of carbon n.e.s. | $54.4MLatest imports | +9.4% | 31 | 6960 | INDDeclining | $71.2M |
| 41 | HS 890510Dredgers | $37.9MLatest imports | +15.6% | 2 | 9999 | INDDeclining | $58.6M |
| 42 | HS 851762Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus | $70.2MLatest imports | +6.4% | 52 | 4930 | CHNDeclining | $84.6M |
| 43 | HS 600632Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyed | $113.7MLatest imports | +5.7% | 40 | 3148 | CHNDeclining | $134.1M |
| 44 | HS 252310Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured) | $79.6MLatest imports | +5.8% | 10 | 3970 | PAKDeclining | $94.4M |
| 45 | HS 100590Cereals: maize (corn), other than seed | $69.2MLatest imports | +6.8% | 8 | 4449 | PAKDeclining | $84.4M |
| 46 | HS 110100Wheat or meslin flour | $45.0MLatest imports | +8.3% | 27 | 8167 | TURDeclining | $57.1M |
| 47 | HS 600690Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04,and other than those made of wool, fine animal hair, cotton, synthetic or artificial fibres | $115.7MLatest imports | +5.2% | 39 | 2270 | CHNDeclining | $134.7M |
| 48 | HS 380210Carbon: activated | $38.7MLatest imports | +22.7% | 30 | 5087 | INDSlowing | $71.6M |
| 49 | HS 847130Data processing machines: portable, digital and automatic, weighing not more than 10kg, consisting of at least a central processing unit, a keyboard and a display | $55.5MLatest imports | +9.7% | 51 | 4275 | CHNDeclining | $73.2M |
| 50 | HS 940540Lamps and light fittings: electric, n.e.s. in heading no. 9405 | $33.3MLatest imports | +10.9% | 46 | 8796 | CHNDeclining | $45.3M |
Showing the five highest-ranked products on mobile. View the complete import opportunity data.
Product sectors
Which sectors carry the most demand?
HS2 sectors group the screened products into broader families for an easier first comparison.
| Sector | Products | Market size | Opportunity | Average growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral fuelsHS2 27 | 4 | $1.2B | $1.6B | +23.2% |
| HS2 sector 00HS2 00 | 2 | $2.5B | $1.3B | +10.9% |
| ShipsHS2 89 | 3 | $242.7M | $458.4M | +43.7% |
| Electrical equipmentHS2 85 | 4 | $398.5M | $451.3M | +11.6% |
| MachineryHS2 84 | 3 | $344.1M | $450.1M | +13.2% |
| Precious stones and metalsHS2 71 | 4 | $330.8M | $407.3M | +22.5% |
| Knitted fabricsHS2 60 | 4 | $678.8M | $357.4M | +7.4% |
| CerealsHS2 10 | 3 | $414.8M | $328.7M | +5.6% |
| Iron and steelHS2 72 | 4 | $291.6M | $297.2M | +14.6% |
| VegetablesHS2 07 | 3 | $294.6M | $251.3M | +7.3% |
| Sugars and sugar confectioneryHS2 17 | 1 | $340.1M | $245.1M | +7.7% |
| Pharmaceutical productsHS2 30 | 1 | $292.9M | $213.0M | +7.1% |
Supply gaps
Where supplier concentration deserves attention
The concentration index helps identify products where reported imports rely more heavily on a smaller supplier base. It is a screening signal, not a recommendation by itself.
| Product | Market size | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Share gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 890520Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms | $77.2M | 1 | 10000 | IND | 100.0% |
| HS 890120Tankers | $127.6M | 2 | 9999 | IND | 100.0% |
| HS 890510Dredgers | $37.9M | 2 | 9999 | IND | 99.8% |
| HS 270900Oils: petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude | $617.5M | 5 | 9999 | ARE | 100.0% |
| HS 722592Steel, alloy: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, n.e.s. in heading no. 7225, plated or coated with zinc (other than electrolytically) | $48.8M | 3 | 9985 | CHN | 99.9% |
| HS 842619Cranes: transporter, gantry and bridge cranes | $232.2M | 7 | 9961 | CHN | 99.8% |
| HS 710811Metals: gold, non-monetary, powder | $54.1M | 2 | 9942 | ARE | 99.7% |
| HS 070320Vegetables, alliaceous: garlic, fresh or chilled | $46.3M | 4 | 9935 | CHN | 99.7% |
Supplier landscape
Which supplier markets appear most often?
These supplier names come from the leading peer signal in the screened opportunity rows and should be validated at product level.
CHN
China
17 screened products
$1.6BCalculated opportunity across these rowsIND
India
12 screened products
$1.5BCalculated opportunity across these rowsSGP
Singapore
2 screened products
$1.3BCalculated opportunity across these rowsARE
United Arab Emirates
5 screened products
$1.1BCalculated opportunity across these rowsRUS
Russia
2 screened products
$679.5MCalculated opportunity across these rowsOMN
Oman
2 screened products
$423.0MCalculated opportunity across these rowsIDN
Indonesia
2 screened products
$280.3MCalculated opportunity across these rowsNZL
New Zealand
1 screened products
$203.1MCalculated opportunity across these rowsFrequently asked questions
Using the Sri Lanka import opportunity index
Definitions and practical guidance for interpreting market size, growth, suppliers, and concentration.
What are the import opportunities?
They are product and supplier combinations in Sri Lanka's screened import market with substantial reported demand and calculated opportunity indicators. They are research priorities, not guaranteed savings or supply contracts.
What does supplier concentration mean?
The concentration index indicates how much reported imports rely on a smaller supplier base. A high value can suggest supply dependence, but it can also reflect specialized products or limited reporting.
How should sourcing teams use this page?
Start with products that fit your specification and volume needs, then validate suppliers, tariffs, standards, logistics, pricing, and continuity for Sri Lanka.
Data source
OECD trade statistics with CEPII context
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-30). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.