Sector footprint
$42.4M in exports
Reported agriculture and food exports in 2024 across 48 qualifying HS6 products.
Sector export playbook ยท HS 01-24
Sri Lanka Agriculture and food exports
where capability meets demand
Explore Sri Lanka's HS 01-24 product portfolio, buyer markets, growth signals, and diversification opportunities. Use this guide to prioritize research, not to treat calculated indicators as guaranteed sales.
Sector exports$42.4M2024 reported value
Products48Qualifying HS6 products
Buyer markets25Markets represented
Average CAGR+19.5%Product-level growth signal
Global sector size$172.6BReported buyer imports
Agriculture and food capability
How strong is Sri Lanka in this sector?
Compare exporter scale with product breadth, buyer demand, growth, and destination reach. A large sector does not remove the need for product, compliance, pricing, and buyer validation.
Global demand
$172.6B buyer imports
The sector's reported buyer import base provides context for product and market prioritization.
How to use the guide
Find the next credible move
Start with products that combine demand and exporter capability, then validate standards, route economics, buyers, and competition.
Product portfolio
Which products anchor the sector?
Each HS6 product is ranked by calculated opportunity and shown with reported market size, exporter exports, growth, and destination reach.
| Product | Global size | Your exports | Opportunity | CAGR | Markets | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 210690Food preparations: n.e.s. in item no. 2106.10 | $17.2B | $20.6M | $9.6B | +21.2% | 5 | +0.1% |
| HS 151190Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | $9.2B | $161.7K | $8.8B | -34.0% | 4 | +0.0% |
| HS 220300Beer: made from malt | $8.7B | $106.5K | $8.5B | +2.7% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 100630Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | $8.5B | $375.2K | $7.2B | -5.3% | 5 | +0.0% |
| HS 190590Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products | $9.1B | $474.3K | $7.2B | +9.9% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 220890Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages: n.e.c. in heading no. 2208 | $4.9B | $32.4 | $6.6B | -13.8% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 170114Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter | $4.2B | $46.5K | $6.3B | +4.4% | 4 | +0.0% |
| HS 030617Crustaceans: frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water | $9.1B | $6.2M | $6.2B | +2.2% | 2 | +0.1% |
| HS 090111Coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated | $14.8B | $83.0K | $6.1B | -14.2% | 4 | +0.0% |
| HS 070200Vegetables: tomatoes, fresh or chilled | $5.4B | $657.0 | $4.6B | -10.2% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 151110Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified | $5.7B | $4.5M | $4.5B | +61.0% | 1 | +0.2% |
| HS 240220Cigarettes: containing tobacco | $4.6B | $260.2K | $4.5B | +41.5% | 3 | +0.1% |
| HS 151800Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions: oxidised, boiled or otherwise chemically modified, (excluding those of heading no. 1516), inedible mixtures or preparations of fats or oils | $3.5B | $62.9K | $3.2B | +38.1% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 220421Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less | $5.9B | $4.2K | $3.0B | +4.7% | 3 | +0.0% |
| HS 100590Cereals: maize (corn), other than seed | $3.5B | $885.9 | $2.9B | +34.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 090121Coffee: roasted, not decaffeinated | $3.9B | $3.3K | $2.6B | +5.7% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 220820Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc | $2.2B | $417.7K | $2.5B | +121.5% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 120190Soya beans: other than seed, whether or not broken | $3.3B | $7.4K | $2.3B | +4.1% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 030633Crustaceans: live, fresh or chilled, crabs, whether in shell or not | $1.7B | $637.1K | $2.1B | +33.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 170290Sugars: n.e.c. in heading no. 1702, including invert sugar and other sugar and sugar syrup blends containing, in the dry state, 50% by weight of fructose | $1.2B | $2.9K | $2.0B | +8.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 070960Vegetables: fruits of the genus capsicum or of the genus pimenta | $2.2B | $494.0 | $1.9B | +9.0% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 151790Edible mixtures or preparations of animal or vegetable fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of this chapter, other than edible fats or oils of heading no. 1516 | $1.2B | $201.4 | $1.8B | -19.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 160232Meat preparations: of the poultry of heading no. 0105, (i.e. of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus) | $2.2B | $33.7K | $1.8B | +2.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 190531Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa | $2.4B | $1.3M | $1.6B | +293.1% | 1 | +0.1% |
| HS 040690Dairy produce: cheese (not grated, powdered or processed), n.e.c. in heading no. 0406 | $4.4B | $26.6 | $1.6B | -12.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 220830Whiskies | $2.1B | $48.8K | $1.5B | +127.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 170490Sugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoa | $3.2B | $385.2 | $1.5B | +11.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 180100Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted | $3.7B | $0.6 | $1.4B | -20.2% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 180620Chocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, content exceeding 2kg | $1.4B | $87.8 | $1.4B | +7.3% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 060290Plants, live: n.e.s. in heading no. 0602 | $1.5B | $225.2K | $1.3B | -1.0% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 240210Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos: containing tobacco including the weight of every band, wrapper or attachment thereto | $1.5B | $2.0M | $1.3B | +55.9% | 1 | +0.1% |
| HS 080211Nuts, edible: almonds, fresh or dried, in shell | $965.0M | $88.7K | $1.3B | +1.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 081190Fruit, edible: fruit and nuts n.e.s. in heading no. 0811, uncooked or cooked, frozen whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter | $849.7M | $6.4 | $1.2B | +16.3% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 170113Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter | $616.4M | $3.2K | $1.2B | -1.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 151620Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions: partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared | $1.1B | $12.5K | $1.2B | +200.6% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 150910Vegetable oils: olive oil and its fractions, virgin, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | $2.4B | $97.2K | $1.2B | +121.3% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 230910Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding | $1.5B | $334.0 | $1.1B | +9.2% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 030614Crustaceans: crabs, frozen (whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked by steaming or by boiling in water) | $1.0B | $3.0M | $1.1B | +15.2% | 1 | +0.3% |
| HS 060319Flowers, cut: flowers and buds of a kind suitable for bouquets or ornamental purposes, fresh, other than roses, carnations, orchids, or chrysanthemums | $1.3B | $298.6 | $1.1B | +20.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 080550Fruit, edible: lemons (Citrus limon, Citrus limonum), limes (Citrus aurantifolia , Citrus latifolia), fresh or dried | $1.0B | $158.0 | $1.1B | -3.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 081090Fruit, edible: fruits n.e.c. in heading no. 0801 to 0810, fresh | $1.1B | $0.8 | $1.1B | -17.7% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 240120Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped | $1.7B | $610.8K | $1.1B | +49.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 180690Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18 | $1.9B | $710.0K | $1.0B | +54.3% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 080132Nuts, edible: cashew nuts, shelled, fresh or dried | $955.6M | $28.7K | $970.5M | +10.5% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 080430Fruit, edible: pineapples, fresh or dried | $774.0M | $9.8K | $915.3M | -3.2% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 070993Vegetables: pumpkins, squash and gourds (Cucurbita spp.), fresh or chilled | $522.0M | $91.4 | $897.4M | +5.6% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 120740Oil seeds: sesamum seeds, whether or not broken | $1.8B | $380.9K | $889.0M | +45.6% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 030632Crustaceans: live, fresh or chilled, lobsters (Homarus spp.), whether in shell or not | $627.4M | $23.3 | $887.5M | +11.2% | 1 | +0.0% |
Best markets
Where does sector demand concentrate?
Markets are ranked by calculated opportunity across the qualifying products in this sector view.
USA
USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
25 products represented in the sector.
$54.8B$71.3B reported buyer importsCHN
China
14 products represented in the sector.
$22.6B$26.1B reported buyer importsDEU
Germany
7 products represented in the sector.
$10.5B$18.5B reported buyer importsIND
India
4 products represented in the sector.
$9.6B$10.1B reported buyer importsJPN
Japan
3 products represented in the sector.
$5.8B$7.3B reported buyer importsCAN
Canada
2 products represented in the sector.
$3.7B$3.8B reported buyer importsSAU
Saudi Arabia
2 products represented in the sector.
$3.6B$2.8B reported buyer importsPAK
Pakistan
1 products represented in the sector.
$3.0B$2.9B reported buyer importsARE
United Arab Emirates
2 products represented in the sector.
$2.6B$1.3B reported buyer importsPHL
Philippines
1 products represented in the sector.
$2.2B$2.3B reported buyer importsFRA
France
2 products represented in the sector.
$2.0B$3.1B reported buyer importsBGD
Bangladesh
1 products represented in the sector.
$1.6B$1.3B reported buyer importsGrowth stars
Which products show the strongest growth?
Average product-level CAGR is a screening signal. Confirm the latest trend, base effects, buyer quality, and commercial feasibility before acting.
| Product | Average CAGR | Opportunity | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS 190531Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa | +293.1% | $1.6B | 1 |
| HS 151620Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions: partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared | +200.6% | $1.2B | 1 |
| HS 220830Whiskies | +127.1% | $1.5B | 1 |
| HS 220820Spirits obtained by distilling grape wine or grape marc | +121.5% | $2.5B | 2 |
| HS 150910Vegetable oils: olive oil and its fractions, virgin, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | +121.3% | $1.2B | 1 |
| HS 151110Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified | +61.0% | $4.5B | 1 |
| HS 240210Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos: containing tobacco including the weight of every band, wrapper or attachment thereto | +55.9% | $1.3B | 1 |
| HS 180690Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18 | +54.3% | $1.0B | 1 |
| HS 240120Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped | +49.4% | $1.1B | 1 |
| HS 120740Oil seeds: sesamum seeds, whether or not broken | +45.6% | $889.0M | 1 |
Diversification opportunities
Which products reach the widest buyer base?
Destination count is a simple breadth indicator. It does not measure destination concentration or guarantee resilience.
HS 210690
Food preparations: n.e.s. in item no. 2106.10
5 markets$9.6B calculated opportunityHS 100630
Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed
5 markets$7.2B calculated opportunityHS 151190
Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified
4 markets$8.8B calculated opportunityHS 170114
Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter
4 markets$6.3B calculated opportunityHS 090111
Coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated
4 markets$6.1B calculated opportunityHS 240220
Cigarettes: containing tobacco
3 markets$4.5B calculated opportunityHS 220421
Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less
3 markets$3.0B calculated opportunityHS 220300
Beer: made from malt
2 markets$8.5B calculated opportunityFrequently asked questions
Using the Agriculture and food export playbook
Practical guidance for interpreting sector scale, growth, product breadth, and buyer markets.
How strong is Sri Lanka in this sector?
Compare sector exports, product breadth, buyer markets, growth, and global demand. These signals identify research priorities rather than guarantee market access.
What are growth stars?
Products with higher average reported growth in the screened rows. Validate the time period, base effects, buyer demand, and current exporter position.
What does diversification mean here?
Products reaching more buyer markets in the screened data. Destination breadth is useful context but does not replace concentration, route, or buyer analysis.
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.