Sri Lanka to harvest record rice crop after sharp rise in fertilizer imports

USDA raised its estimate for Sri Lanka’s 2025/26 rice production to a record 3.7 mln tons on a milled basis. This is 12% above the previous forecast, 15% higher than last year and 19% above the five-year average.

Harvested area is estimated at a record 1.2 mln ha, up 4% y/y. Rice yield on a rough basis is forecast at 4.62 t/ha, 11% higher than a year earlier.

Higher production was supported by stronger results in both of the country’s main rice-growing seasons, yala and maha. Increases in both area and yield pushed full-year production to a record level.

USDA identified a sharp rise in fertilizer imports as one of the key drivers. Fertilizer shipments to Sri Lanka increased by more than 60% y/y in 2025 following the reversal of the chemical fertilizer ban introduced in 2021.

After the ban was introduced, crop yields in the country declined sharply for several seasons. Restored access to mineral fertilizers and higher imports have since helped lift rice yields to a record level.

Tags: harvest, rice, Sri Lanka, fertilizers