Agricultural raw materials exports in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Agricultural raw materials exports was 2.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Agricultural raw materials exports in Sri Lanka, 1962–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise exports.
Analysis
In 2024, agricultural raw materials exports in Sri Lanka stood at 2.7%.
That represents a change of down 15.4% on the previous year and up 3.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agricultural raw materials exports in Sri Lanka peaked at 26.1% in 1974 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 2000.
That places Sri Lanka 47th out of 195 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Agricultural raw materials exports in Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise exports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | 18.9% | — |
| 1963 | 17.8% | -5.7% |
| 1964 | 19.1% | +7.4% |
| 1965 | 18.8% | -2.0% |
| 1966 | 22.7% | +21.3% |
| 1967 | 20.2% | -11.2% |
| 1968 | 19.7% | -2.4% |
| 1969 | 26.0% | +32.0% |
| 1970 | 25.3% | -2.8% |
| 1971 | 19.5% | -22.8% |
| 1972 | 16.8% | -13.6% |
| 1974 | 26.1% | +55.0% |
| 1975 | 19.5% | -25.3% |
| 1976 | 21.2% | +8.7% |
| 1977 | 16.8% | -20.9% |
| 1978 | 18.0% | +7.1% |
| 1979 | 19.4% | +7.9% |
| 1980 | 18.1% | -6.5% |
| 1981 | 17.1% | -5.5% |
| 1982 | 13.9% | -18.9% |
| 1983 | 13.8% | -0.7% |
| 1984 | 10.8% | -21.9% |
| 1985 | 9.8% | -9.3% |
| 1986 | 10.5% | +7.0% |
| 1987 | 9.9% | -5.2% |
| 1990 | 5.8% | -41.5% |
| 1991 | 4.9% | -15.5% |
| 1992 | 4.2% | -14.5% |
| 1993 | 3.4% | -18.3% |
| 1994 | 3.5% | +2.8% |
| 1999 | 2.0% | -44.5% |
| 2000 | 1.6% | -19.3% |
| 2001 | 1.6% | +1.7% |
| 2002 | 1.7% | +4.0% |
| 2003 | 2.0% | +22.6% |
| 2004 | 2.2% | +7.8% |
| 2005 | 2.1% | -6.9% |
| 2006 | 2.7% | +30.2% |
| 2007 | 2.3% | -14.2% |
| 2008 | 3.1% | +34.1% |
| 2009 | 3.2% | +5.3% |
| 2010 | 3.9% | +22.2% |
| 2011 | 4.0% | +1.9% |
| 2012 | 3.3% | -17.3% |
| 2013 | 2.6% | -21.1% |
| 2014 | 2.6% | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 2.5% | -5.6% |
| 2016 | 2.7% | +7.1% |
| 2017 | 2.6% | -1.3% |
| 2019 | 2.5% | -5.0% |
| 2020 | 3.4% | +34.5% |
| 2021 | 3.0% | -9.8% |
| 2022 | 2.8% | -6.9% |
| 2023 | 3.2% | +13.9% |
| 2024 | 2.7% | -15.4% |
Sri Lanka compared with similar countries
- Sri Lanka's 2.7% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.7%, 3.9× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Sri Lanka's 2.7% is above the median for South Asia, which is 1.3%, 2.1× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 20.4% | 17.8% | 26.0% | 8 |
| 1970s | 20.3% | 16.8% | 26.1% | 9 |
| 1980s | 13.0% | 9.8% | 18.1% | 8 |
| 1990s | 4.0% | 2.0% | 5.8% | 6 |
| 2000s | 2.2% | 1.6% | 3.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.0% | 2.5% | 4.0% | 9 |
| 2020s | 3.0% | 2.7% | 3.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
- 44 Guatemala 2.9% compare
- 45 Vanuatu 2.8% compare
- 46 Netherlands 2.8% compare
- 48 Mongolia 2.7% compare
- 49 Saint Lucia 2.7% compare
- 50 Papua New Guinea 2.6% compare
More agriculture & rural data for Sri Lanka
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 9.1 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0836 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 418.3 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.9172 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.7955 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 8.4% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 8.4% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.9% (2024)
- Rural population 79.5% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agricultural raw materials exports in Sri Lanka?
- Agricultural raw materials exports in Sri Lanka was 2.7% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest agricultural raw materials exports recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 26.1% in 1974.
- What is the lowest agricultural raw materials exports recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 2000.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for agricultural raw materials exports?
- Sri Lanka ranks 47th out of 195 countries with data for 2024.
- Is agricultural raw materials exports rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 3.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Agricultural raw materials exports (% of merchandise exports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Agricultural raw materials comprise section 2 of SITC Rev. 3 (crude materials, inedible, except fuels) excluding divisions 22 (oil-seeds and oleaginous fruits), 27 (crude fertilizers and minerals excluding coal, petroleum, and precious stones), and 28 (metalliferous ores and scrap). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise exports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a resident and a non-resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.