Sri Lanka’s food supply is under growing pressure as global uncertainties continue to disrupt agricultural costs and production. Speaking at a recent CMA Sri Lanka forum, Professor Buddhi Marambe (Department of Crop Science of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya) stressed the need for a fundamental shift in how the country approaches pricing, warning that traditional methods are no longer effective in today’s volatile environment. Highlighting the impact of the Middle East crisis, he noted that global fertiliser prices have surged from $450 to $810 per tonne, reinforcing the urgent need for adaptive and resilient strategies to safeguard Sri Lanka’s food security.
Sri Lanka’s food supply & security now faces serious pressure from sharp rises in the cost of key farming inputs
Fertiliser prices have climbed fast on the world market, making it harder for local farmers to keep production steady. Even when supplies are available, wealthier countries often secure them first, leaving smaller nations like Sri Lanka to compete on tougher terms. This situation shows how closely local farming depends on global trade – Sri Lanka cannot grow all the food it needs on its own, so stable imports of inputs and careful management of what is grown at home have become essential.
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Energy costs add another layer of difficulty. Higher fuel prices hit every stage of farming, from running machines in the fields to moving crops to market. Electricity bills also push up the cost of milling, storing and even cooking food at home. These extra expenses flow straight through to higher prices for families and make it harder for producers to stay profitable.
To manage these challenges, clear choices must be made about which crops to support first. Prioritising certain crops is now seen as necessary to balance day-to-day food needs with longer-term export earnings. Curry ingredients for local meals, maize for animal feed, and tea as the main export crop should receive focused attention and resources. For tea, keeping up nutrient supplies is especially important to protect output and foreign-exchange earnings. Government-to-Government deals, such as those with China for urea, can help secure supplies for the coming seasons, but they do not remove the pressure of higher prices.
Policy steps already taken, such as distributing fertiliser at around Rs. 9,500 per tonne through organised channels, aim to ease immediate shortages. Yet experts agree that global forces will still drive costs upward in the short term. The real task is to build systems that protect both farmers trying to grow enough food and families trying to afford it.
Uncertainties are piling up from many directions – climate shifts, political changes and ongoing geopolitical tensions all add to the pressure. Food inflation had eased for a while, but the latest trends point to fresh risks. By redesigning pricing to include these real-world uncertainties and by directing limited resources to the most important crops, Sri Lanka can strengthen its food system against future shocks.
The path forward is clear: updated costing methods, smart prioritisation of key crops, and stronger links between local production and global trade. Taking these steps now will help keep food on tables and farms running even when the world outside becomes more unpredictable.
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