Sri Lanka’s fisheries, crop cultivation, and animal husbandry sectors experienced an unstable performance in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, due to adverse weather and market conditions, according to the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).
The marine fishing and marine aquaculture sector recorded a growth decline of 5.2% of the GDP, while freshwater fishing saw a sharper decrease of 34.8% in the second quarter of 2025. Marine fishing and aquaculture contributed Rs. 22 billion to the GDP at constant prices, representing 0.9% of the total GDP. Coastal fish production increased by 2.1%, but deep-sea fish production fell by 13.1%, resulting in an overall decline of 5.3% in marine fish output. Freshwater fishing contributed Rs. 3,797 million, representing 0.1% of GDP.
Sri Lanka’s rubber sector also faced challenges, with overall production declining by 10.8%, mainly due to a 12.8% drop in latex output. This continues a negative trend from the previous year, which saw a 13.3% decline. The Rubber Development Department attributed the drop to seasonal factors: March and April mark the budding season, while May and June are mostly rainy. Despite the production decline, the average price of one kilogram of latex rose by 31.2%.
Vegetable cultivation saw a 3.6% decline in growth, largely due to lower production during the 2024/2025 Maha season caused by adverse weather. For the 2025 Yala season, production is expected to rise by 12.7% for upcountry vegetables, but decline by 11.2% for low-country vegetables. The final Maha season report showed a 12.6% drop in production.
Tea cultivation recorded positive growth of 6.0% in the second quarter of 2025, improving from an 8.5% decline in the same quarter of the previous year. The average price of one kilogram of ‘Made Tea’ at Colombo auctions decreased by 8.5%, from Rs. 1,243.54 to Rs. 1,139.55. Low-grown tea, which accounts for 57.8% of total tea production, grew by 2.7% this quarter.
The animal production sector, which includes meat, dairy, and egg production, reported strong growth of 13.9% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Poultry, egg, and dairy production increased by 10.9%, 35.3%, and 2.5%, respectively. Producer prices for poultry meat, cattle, goats, and milk rose during this period, while the average price of eggs declined.
