Sri Lanka significantly reduced its expenditure on imported fish and fish products during the first nine months of 2025, according to data released by the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Marine Resources, reflecting changing market demand and possible improvements in domestic supply.
Between January and September 2025, the country imported 42,796.3 metric tons of fish and related products at a total cost of Rs. 25,993.1 million. This represents a 1.8 percent decline in spending compared with the same period in 2024, when Rs. 26,478.6 million was spent on similar imports.
The bulk of imports continued to consist of staple seafood items such as sprats, dried fish, mackerel, and other edible fish varieties that are widely consumed across the island. Among these, dried fish and sprats accounted for the largest share of import expenditure, underscoring their role as essential, affordable protein sources in local diets.
Spending on dried sprats alone reached Rs. 8,159.5 million during the first nine months of 2025, marking a 13.5 percent decrease compared to the corresponding period in 2024. Officials attribute the reduction to a combination of moderated demand and adjustments in sourcing patterns.
The most striking shift was recorded in canned fish imports, which fell sharply during the review period. Only Rs. 75.2 million was spent on canned fish in the first nine months of 2025, compared to Rs. 2,815.6 million during the same timeframe in 2024. The ministry noted that this represents a dramatic 97.3 percent decline, suggesting a major contraction in reliance on processed seafood products.
Authorities say the figures point to evolving consumption habits and policy emphasis on strengthening local fisheries, while reducing dependence on imported processed fish. The trend is expected to influence future planning in the fisheries sector as the government evaluates strategies to balance nutrition needs, domestic production, and foreign exchange savings.
