Colombo, Sri Lanka – 28 August 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today released its Daily Price Report for August 28, 2026, offering a detailed snapshot of commodity price movements across key markets. The report indicates a mixed bag for consumers, with some essential vegetable prices registering declines, while others, alongside specific fish varieties and imported staples, saw increases primarily due to shifts in supply dynamics compared to last Tuesday.
Vegetable Market Dynamics: Beans Drop, Carrots and Cabbage Rise
In the vegetable segment, market analysts observed notable fluctuations:
- Beans: Prices for beans continued their downward trend. Both the Pettah and Dambulla markets recorded further declines, with retail prices in Pettah falling from Rs. 400.00/kg to Rs. 350.00/kg, and in Dambulla from Rs. 345.00/kg to Rs. 325.00/kg. This favourable movement is attributed to improved supply from the Balangoda and Bandarawela areas.
- Carrot: Conversely, carrot prices experienced an uptick in both Pettah and Dambulla. Pettah saw prices rise from Rs. 200.00/kg to Rs. 250.00/kg, while Dambulla recorded an increase from Rs. 195.00/kg to Rs. 240.00/kg. The report links this increase to a limited supply originating from the Nuwara Eliya region.
- Cabbage: Similar to carrots, cabbage prices also rose in Pettah and Dambulla markets. Pettah’s retail price moved from Rs. 250.00/kg to Rs. 280.00/kg, and Dambulla’s from Rs. 195.00/kg to Rs. 265.00/kg. This surge is also largely due to restricted supply from the Nuwara Eliya area.
- Brinjal: Dambulla market saw a further increase in brinjal prices, climbing from Rs. 265.00/kg to Rs. 305.00/kg. Limited supply from Kalpitiya and Sigiriya areas was cited as the primary cause.
- Lime: Retail prices for lime also escalated in Dambulla, rising from Rs. 415.00/kg to Rs. 520.00/kg, a change driven by reduced availability from the Anuradhapura area.
Fish Market Insights: Hurulla Prices See an Increase
The fish market also experienced price adjustments:
- Hurulla: Consumers in the Negombo fish market faced higher prices for Hurulla, which increased from Rs. 1,100.00/kg to Rs. 1,350.00/kg. This increase is attributed to a limited supply originating from the Northern coastal area.
Other Key Commodities: Imported Big Onion on the Rise
Beyond vegetables and fish, other essential commodities showed movement:
- Imported Big Onion: In the Dambulla market, the price of imported big onion increased from Rs. 283.00/kg to Rs. 303.00/kg. This rise is primarily due to the limited availability of Indian varieties in the market.
Overall Market Outlook
The Central Bank’s daily report provides crucial insights for both consumers and policymakers. While favourable weather conditions contributed to a dip in prices for some staples like beans, localized supply constraints, particularly from key agricultural regions such as Nuwara Eliya, Kalpitiya, Sigiriya, and Anuradhapura, appear to be pushing up prices for several other fresh produce items. Similarly, supply limitations from the Northern coastal areas are impacting fish prices.
The Daily Price Report serves as a vital tool for understanding the real-time economic pressures and supply chain challenges influencing household budgets across Sri Lanka.
Source: Read original document
