Areca nuts production in Sri Lanka
In 2024 Sri Lanka produced 70,866 t of areca nuts, the 6th largest in the world (3.04% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 69%. The record was 82,132 t in 2021. Area harvested: 18,806 ha, yield 3.8 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 70,866 t
- World rank
- 6 of 11
- 10-year change
- +69%
- Record
- 82,132 t
- 2021
Areca nuts in Sri Lanka, 1990–2024 (tonnes)
Sri Lanka compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 3.0%
- 3.3% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 3.8
- world 1.8 (+114%)
- kg per person
- 3.07
- world 0.29
- 10-year change
- +69%
- world +84%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Taiwan | 88,525 | 3.8% |
| 5 | Indonesia | 75,265 | 3.2% |
| 6 | Sri Lanka | 70,866 | 3.0% |
| 7 | Thailand | 38,273 | 1.6% |
| 8 | Nepal | 14,781 | 0.63% |
Map of world production of areca nuts
Share of the world total; Sri Lanka is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 70,866 | −1.7% | 18,806 | 3.77 |
| 2023 | 72,075 | +8.3% | 18,172 | 3.97 |
| 2022 | 66,534 | −19% | 18,886 | 3.52 |
| 2021 | 82,132 | +28% | 17,716 | 4.64 |
| 2020 | 63,986 | +19% | 18,208 | 3.51 |
| 2019 | 53,645 | −1.9% | 18,275 | 2.94 |
| 2018 | 54,691 | +18% | 17,877 | 3.06 |
| 2017 | 46,333 | +7.7% | 18,722 | 2.47 |
| 2016 | 43,012 | +0.7% | 18,794 | 2.29 |
| 2015 | 42,717 | +1.8% | 17,409 | 2.45 |
| 2014 | 41,977 | +8.4% | 16,423 | 2.56 |
| 2013 | 38,742 | +2.8% | 16,352 | 2.37 |
| 2012 | 37,700 | +19% | 15,910 | 2.37 |
| 2011 | 31,600 | +5.8% | 15,640 | 2.02 |
| 2010 | 29,880 | +7.3% | 15,080 | 1.98 |
| 2009 | 27,860 | +3.8% | 14,220 | 1.96 |
| 2008 | 26,840 | +3.7% | 13,840 | 1.94 |
| 2007 | 25,870 | +5.1% | 12,430 | 2.08 |
| 2006 | 24,610 | −1.5% | 11,970 | 2.06 |
| 2005 | 24,990 | +4.9% | 11,720 | 2.13 |
| 2004 | 23,830 | +59% | 10,880 | 2.19 |
| 2003 | 15,000 | +25% | 8,000 | 1.88 |
| 2002 | 12,000 | +9.1% | 7,000 | 1.71 |
| 2001 | 11,000 | +20% | 6,000 | 1.83 |
| 2000 | 9,150 | +1.7% | 5,000 | 1.83 |
| 1999 | 9,000 | +13% | 4,957 | 1.82 |
| 1998 | 8,000 | +6.7% | 4,500 | 1.78 |
| 1997 | 7,500 | +7.1% | 4,199 | 1.79 |
| 1996 | 7,000 | +40% | 4,000 | 1.75 |
| 1995 | 5,000 | +15% | 3,000 | 1.67 |
| 1994 | 4,354 | +24% | 2,474 | 1.76 |
| 1993 | 3,500 | +10% | 2,000 | 1.75 |
| 1992 | 3,181 | +6.0% | 1,716 | 1.85 |
| 1991 | 3,000 | −3.2% | 1,567 | 1.91 |
| 1990 | 3,100 | — | 1,500 | 2.07 |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 8,852 t USD 38.0 m
- Exporter rank
- 8 of 76
- Imports
- 545 t USD 218,000
- Importer rank
- 36 of 128
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of areca nuts in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka produced 70,866 t in 2024, 3.0% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Sri Lanka rank in the world for production of areca nuts?
Sri Lanka ranked 6th of 11 countries in 2024. The largest producer was India with 60.5% of the world total.
How has the production of areca nuts in Sri Lanka changed?
It rose by 69% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +84% for the world. The record was 82,132 t in 2021.
What is the yield of areca nuts in Sri Lanka?
3.8 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (70,866 t from 18,806 ha), against a world average of 1.8 t/ha.
Does Sri Lanka export or import areca nuts?
In 2024 Sri Lanka reported exports of 8,852 t (USD 38.0 m) and imports of 545 t (USD 218,000), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.