Colombo, Sri Lanka – October 1, 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) released its Daily Price Report for September 30, 2026, revealing a dynamic landscape in the country’s key commodity markets. The report highlights a mix of price increases and decreases across various essential goods, primarily influenced by supply conditions from different agricultural regions and fish landing sites.
Consumers and businesses closely monitoring the cost of living will find varied movements, particularly in the fresh produce and fish sectors. While certain vegetables saw prices surge due to limited supply, others, along with some fish and fruit varieties, experienced declines, offering some relief to household budgets.
Vegetable Prices See Significant Fluctuations
The vegetable market exhibited notable shifts on September 30th. According to the CBSL report, price increases were observed for several staples:
- Beans: Prices in the Pettah market saw a further increase, rising from Rs. 600.00 to Rs. 650.00 per kg. This surge is attributed to a limited supply originating from the Welimada and Kandy areas.
- Carrot: In the Dambulla market, carrot prices climbed from Rs. 170.00 to Rs. 195.00 per kg. Limited supply from Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela areas was cited as the primary cause.
- Tomato: Both Pettah and Dambulla markets reported significant increases in tomato prices. Pettah saw prices jump from Rs. 450.00 to Rs. 600.00 per kg, while Dambulla experienced a rise from Rs. 370.00 to Rs. 455.00 per kg. Restricted supply from Embilipitiya/Sooriyawewa and Hanguranketha/Kekirawa regions, respectively, drove these increases.
Conversely, some vegetables experienced price reductions:
- Brinjal: Prices for brinjal in the Dambulla market declined from Rs. 320.00 to Rs. 280.00 per kg. This decrease was due to the availability of a lower quality variety from the Dambulla area.
- Green Chilli: The Pettah market observed a further decline in green chilli prices, dropping from Rs. 400.00 to Rs. 350.00 per kg. Favourable supply from Puttalam and Jaffna areas contributed to this reduction.
Fish and Fruit Sectors Register Declines
The fish market provided some positive news for consumers with price reductions for certain popular varieties:
- Linna (Fish): The wholesale price of Linna declined in both Peliyagoda and Negombo fish markets. In Peliyagoda, prices fell from Rs. 950.00 to Rs. 800.00 per kg, and in Negombo, they decreased from Rs. 950.00 to Rs. 860.00 per kg. This favourable trend was attributed to a healthy supply from the Southern coastal area.
In the fruit segment, one key item saw a notable drop:
- Papaw: Prices for papaw in the Dambulla market declined from Rs. 140.00 to Rs. 115.00 per kg. This was largely due to a favourable supply from the Elahera and Mahiyanganaya areas.
Overview of Other Essential Commodities
The report also provided insights into other critical commodities, detailing wholesale and retail prices across various markets (Pettah, Dambulla, Narahenpita):
- Onions and Potatoes: Prices for local and imported varieties of Red Onion, Big Onion, and Potato largely remained stable or saw only minor fluctuations.
- Rice: Key rice varieties such as Samba, Nadu, Kekulu (White), and Kekulu (Red) maintained consistent price levels across Marandagahamula and other retail markets.
- Coconut and Coconut Oil: While coconut prices remained stable, coconut oil saw an increase in wholesale prices in Pettah and retail prices in Dambulla.
- Imported Dried Chilli, Red Dhal, Sugar, and Eggs: These essential goods generally showed stable pricing on September 30, 2026.
The CBSL’s daily price reports are crucial for understanding immediate market dynamics and the factors influencing the cost of living in Sri Lanka. These insights help both policymakers and consumers navigate the evolving economic landscape.
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