| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 13.49 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 15.83 Million |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 3.24 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Sri Lanka Seed Market Analysis
The Sri Lanka Seed Market size is estimated at USD 13.49 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 15.83 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.24% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
- In Sri Lanka, seed production activities are primarily led by the public sector, especially through the Department of Agriculture's Seed and Planting Material Development Centre. While the public sector plays a pivotal role, it's the private sector that predominantly imports and distributes the majority of the country's quality seeds to farmers. Given Sri Lanka's significant reliance on imported seeds, the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with Lal Teer Seed from Bangladesh, has launched initiatives in recent years to bolster domestic vegetable seed production. Additionally, Sri Lanka has adopted a unique system for plant variety protection. Emphasizing the importance of safeguarding plant breeders' rights through robust legislation could incentivize greater participation from private companies in the sector.
- Moreover, the increasing production of cereal crops and vegetables in the country and the growth in the area under harvest of these crops have resulted in the growth of the market and hence driven the market forward in the country.
- As per the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database, the country produced 3.6 million metric tons of cereal in 2022, harvesting across 1.1 million hectares. In the same year, vegetable production reached 1.1 million metric tons. Given the fluctuations in cereal and vegetable yields, the emphasis on quality seeds became paramount to maintain consistent production and productivity.
Sri Lanka Seed Market Trends
Vegetable is The Leading Segment
The demand for vegetable seeds, especially in developing countries such as Sri Lanka, is still untapped and provides multinational companies with various opportunities for expansion and a wide customer base. Most companies concentrate on hybrid vegetable seeds, largely backed by patents in this region.
Sri Lanka cultivates a wide array of vegetable varieties, catering both to domestic consumption and export markets. Vegetables hold a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's agriculture, serving as essential accompaniments to the country's staple rice-based diet. Owing to its diverse agro-climatic conditions, Sri Lanka successfully grows approximately 40 different vegetable species across various regions year-round. As a result, traditional cropping systems have largely faded from the landscape, with the bulk of vegetable production now stemming from commercial farms that employ certified seeds.
Moreover, the country relies heavily on vegetable imports, which surged by 15% in 2023, as reported by UN Comtrade. Conversely, Sri Lanka, blessed with a tropical climate and diverse geography, has been a global supplier of various vegetables. Beyond its favorable climate, Sri Lanka boasts fertile soils, time-honored agricultural practices, established facilities, efficient irrigation systems, and well-distributed rainfall ideal for crop cultivation. By adopting improved seed varieties, Sri Lanka could boost its vegetable production and reduce its import reliance.
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Increasing Cereals Imports in the Country
Cereals play a pivotal role in the diet of Sri Lankans. Key cereal crops cultivated in the country include rice, millet, maize, and sorghum. Notably, rice serves as the staple for the majority of the population, featuring prominently in at least two of the three daily meals, often paired with curry. Data from the Department of Agriculture reveals that rice cultivation occupies approximately 24% of Sri Lanka's arable land. The nation sees a per capita rice consumption of 114 kg annually, and rice farming supports the livelihoods of 1.8 million families across the country.
Rice production in the country has seen a consistent increase over the years. The two primary seasons for rice cultivation are Yala and Maha. The Maha Season aligns with the "North-east monsoon," occurring from September to March of the subsequent year. Conversely, the Yala Season takes place from May to the end of August. According to data from the Department of Census and Statistics in Sri Lanka, during the 2022 Yala season, paddy was cultivated on 481,669 hectares. The Ampara district topped the list, with paddy cultivation covering 62,686 hectares, representing 13% of the national total. Similarly, during the Maha season, paddy cultivation extended over 775,846 hectares
Furthermore, the government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), along with health authorities, is promoting rice consumption over wheat. Red rice is becoming increasingly popular, with its grain and bran being acknowledged for superior nutritional benefits, including high levels of vitamin B, minerals, protein, fat, and fiber. Given the surging domestic and export demand for rice in Sri Lanka, rice seeds have emerged as a pivotal component of the country's seed market.
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Sri Lanka Seed Industry Overview
The Sri Lankan seed market is fragmented, with the presence of a large number of local players marketing certified seeds. The major players in the market are Tropical Seeds/OPEX Holdings, CIC Agri-Business, Hayleys Agriculture, Plantchem Pvt Ltd (Plant Seeds Private Limited), and Advanta Seeds. These major players are investing in new products and improvisation of products, expansions, and acquisitions for business expansions. Another major area of investment is the focus on R&D to launch new products at lower prices.
Sri Lanka Seed Market Leaders
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Tropical Seeds/OPEX Holdings
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CIC Agri Business
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Hayleys Agriculture Holding Limited.
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Plantchem Pvt. Ltd.(Plant Seeds Private Limited)
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Advanta Seeds
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Sri Lanka Seed Market News
- March 2024: CIC Agribusiness has developed and launched five new hybrid vegetable seed varieties locally, in collaboration with an American company, from their seed farm in Pelwehera, Dambulla. This initiative aims to boost local agricultural productivity and reduce the foreign exchange spent on importing hybrid seeds. The project, costing over USD 800 million and spanning three years, helps to boost quality seed production to meet increasing demand.
- September 2022: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka to procure 200 metric ton of maize seeds for the maha season.
Sri Lanka Seed Industry Segmentation
A seed is the unit of reproduction of a flowering plant, capable of developing into another such plant. For the purpose of this report, the seeds used for sowing have been considered for market estimations and forecasts. The market does not include seeds used for human or animal consumption. The Sri Lanka Seed Market is Segmented by Product Type (Hybrid (Transgenic and Non-Transgenic) and Open Pollinated), Crop Type (Grains and Cereals (Rice, Maize, Soybean, and Other Crop Types), and Vegetables (Tomatoes, Pumpkin, Squash and Gourd, Chillies and Peppers and Other Vegetables). The report offers market estimation and forecast in value (USD million) and volume (Metric Ton) for the above-mentioned segments.
| Product | Hybrid | Transgenic | |
| Non-Transgenic | |||
| Open Pollinated | |||
| Crop Type | Grains & Cereals | Rice | |
| Maize | |||
| Soybean | |||
| Other Crop Types | |||
| Vegetables | Tomatoes | ||
| Pumpkin, Squash, and Gourd | |||
| Chillies and Peppers | |||
| Other Vegetables | |||
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Sri Lanka Seed Market Research Faqs
How big is the Sri Lanka Seed Market?
The Sri Lanka Seed Market size is expected to reach USD 13.49 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.24% to reach USD 15.83 million by 2030.
What is the current Sri Lanka Seed Market size?
In 2025, the Sri Lanka Seed Market size is expected to reach USD 13.49 million.
Who are the key players in Sri Lanka Seed Market?
Tropical Seeds/OPEX Holdings, CIC Agri Business, Hayleys Agriculture Holding Limited., Plantchem Pvt. Ltd.(Plant Seeds Private Limited) and Advanta Seeds are the major companies operating in the Sri Lanka Seed Market.
What years does this Sri Lanka Seed Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Sri Lanka Seed Market size was estimated at USD 13.05 million. The report covers the Sri Lanka Seed Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Sri Lanka Seed Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Sri Lanka Seed Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Sri Lanka Seed market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Sri Lanka Seed analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
