Sri Lanka’s Paddy Boom: 11.7% Growth in Yala Season

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s latest Agriculture Data Bulletin for August 2025 reveals a dynamic landscape across the country’s key agricultural sectors, with notable gains in paddy and coconut production, contrasted by declines in fish, tea, and rubber outputs.

Paddy production for the 2025 Yala season is forecasted at 2.2 million metric tons, marking an 11.7% increase compared to the previous season. 
Annual production is expected to reach 4.8 million metric tons, a 2.7% year-on-year growth, signaling a strong recovery in staple crop output.

Total fish production in July 2025 dropped by 16.5%, driven by a 46.6% decline in inland fishing and a 4.9% dip in marine fishing. Despite this, marine fish production from January to July showed a modest 3.8% growth.

Coconut production recorded a 25.7% year-on-year increase in July, reflecting a steady recovery. Coconut oil production rose by 3.6%, while desiccated coconut output fell by 20.1%.

Domestic tea production fell by 7.9% in July, although year-to-date figures show a 3.4% increase. Rubber production saw a 13% decline.