• $ 297.2 m spent on veg imports in 2022

Sri Lanka has spent $ 326.5 million on vegetable imports from January to November 2023 – an increase from the $ 297.2 million recorded for the same period in 2022. 

According to a press release by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) on 29 December 2023, the import expenditure on vegetables from January to November 2023 amounted to $ 326.5 million, with the expense for November being recorded as $ 29.3 million. 

From January to November 2022, $ 297.2 million has been spent for the import of vegetables. 

“This was spent on items such as potatoes, garlic, onions, and fruits such as grapes, apples, and oranges,” Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, speaking to The Sunday Morning. 

He said that the plans for 2024 entailed the import of the same types of food items. 

According to the CBSL, $ 1,541 million has been spent during the first 11 months of 2023 for the import of food and beverages (mainly cereals and milling industry products, dairy products, vegetables, seafood, sugar and confectionery, and spices). 

A total of $ 1,478 million had been spent for the same during the first 11 months of 2022. 

Meanwhile, the export earnings from vegetables and fruits for the period January-November 2023 had decreased to $ 397 million – a nearly $ 20 million decrease from the $ 418.8 million earned from the export of fruits and vegetables in 2022. 

Sri Lanka has also earned $ 274.8 million from the export of fish and fish preparations in 2023, but has spent $ 71.4 million on seafood imports from January to November 2023.

– By Pamodi Waravita