Sri Lanka is beginning to feel the strain of global conflict as disruptions to key trade routes drive up prices and restrict the supply of essential food items, raising fresh concerns about food security and economic resilience. Importers warn that shortages and price hikes affecting everyday staples like sprats and lentils could worsen in the coming weeks, placing additional pressure on households already grappling with high living costs.
According to industry sources, the supply of sprats—a widely consumed and affordable source of protein in Sri Lanka—has been severely impacted by the suspension of imports from Iran. Nearly 80 percent of Sri Lanka’s sprat imports originate from Iran, but ongoing war-related disruptions have brought this trade to a complete halt. The remaining supply, sourced from Dubai and Thailand, is insufficient to meet national demand, creating upward pressure on prices.
The situation is equally concerning for lentils, commonly known as dal, another dietary staple across the country. Sri Lanka relies heavily on imports from Canada and Australia. However, shipping routes for these imports typically pass through Middle Eastern ports, many of which are now experiencing delays due to heightened security risks and logistical disruptions linked to the conflict. As a result, shipments are arriving late, tightening supply in local markets.
Importers say the impact is already being felt at multiple levels of the supply chain. Nihal Seneviratne, Chairman of the Essential Food Importers and Traders Association, noted that the cost of bringing goods into the country has risen sharply. Increased shipping rates and higher insurance premiums for vessels navigating conflict-affected regions have significantly driven up expenses, which are now being passed on to consumers.
