COLOMBO – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today released its comprehensive Daily Price Report for September 28, 2026, offering a crucial snapshot of commodity price movements across key markets nationwide. The report highlights a dynamic landscape in Sri Lanka’s economy, with significant fluctuations observed in vegetable, fish, and other essential goods, primarily driven by supply conditions from various producing regions.
Vegetable Market Sees Varied Fortunes Across Sri Lanka
The vegetable sector presented a mixed bag of price developments, with regional supply impacting consumer costs:
- Beans: Consumers in the Pettah market will find some relief as the price of beans has declined compared to last Friday. This favourable trend is attributed to an improved and steady supply from the Balangoda and Kandy areas.
- Tomato: Conversely, tomato prices in the Dambulla market saw a further increase. This surge is due to a limited supply originating from the Sigiriya and Elahera regions, indicating potential scarcity.
- Brinjal: The Dambulla market also recorded an increase in brinjal prices. Supply constraints from Galewela and Puttalam areas were cited as the primary reason for this upward movement.
- Pumpkin: Similarly, pumpkin prices in Dambulla escalated, impacted by restricted supply from Sigiriya and Galewela areas.
These fluctuations underscore the sensitivity of vegetable prices to regional agricultural output and logistics, directly affecting household budgets across Sri Lanka.
Fish Prices Surge on Coastal Supply Shortages
The fish sector experienced notable wholesale price hikes in key markets:
- Salaya: The wholesale price of Salaya fish at the Peliyagoda market increased significantly. This rise is a direct consequence of limited supply arriving from the Northern coastal area.
- Linna: Both Peliyagoda and Negombo fish markets reported an increase in the wholesale price of Linna. The report attributes this to a constrained supply from the Southern coastal area, indicating a widespread impact on marine produce.
The increases in fish prices suggest potential challenges for both consumers and vendors reliant on consistent marine harvests, impacting food security and affordability.
Red Onion Prices Climb Amidst Supply Concerns
Beyond vegetables and fish, other key commodities also saw significant price shifts:
- Local Red Onion: Prices for local red onion increased in the Dambulla market. This escalation is linked to limited supply streams from the Puttalam and Jaffna areas.
The CBSL report also provides comprehensive wholesale and retail price data for a wide array of items. This includes other vegetables like carrots, cabbage, snake gourd, green chilli, and lime; imported onions and potatoes; dried chilli; coconut; coconut oil; red dhal; white sugar; and eggs. Additionally, it details prices for various rice varieties (Samba, Nadu, Kekulu) and fruits (Banana, Papaw, Pineapple, imported Apples and Oranges) across Pettah, Dambulla, Narahenpita, Peliyagoda, and Negombo markets, offering a holistic view of the nation’s food economy on September 28, 2026.
Monitoring Essential Commodity Prices: A Key Economic Indicator
The Daily Price Report is an essential tool for monitoring inflationary pressures and supply chain efficiencies within Sri Lanka’s economy. The detailed figures for wholesale and retail prices, spanning multiple markets, provide valuable insights for policymakers, businesses, and the general public to understand the cost of living and market trends. These updates from the Central Bank are crucial for economic planning and consumer awareness.
As of September 28, 2026, the Sri Lankan market exhibits a complex mix of price movements, largely influenced by localized supply dynamics. While some commodities like beans offer relief, others like tomatoes, brinjal, pumpkin, and certain fish varieties have become dearer, posing challenges for household budgets across the island. DailyFC will continue to provide timely updates on these critical economic indicators affecting Sri Lankan consumers.
Source: Read original document
