Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried cassava (manioc; typically classified under HS 071410 “manioc, fresh or dried”) in Sri Lanka is anchored in domestic cassava cultivation and serves both local consumption and niche export demand. Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture lists multiple released cassava varieties and indicates the crop can be cultivated throughout the year across a wide range of soil and climate conditions. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) shows Sri Lanka exported manioc (fresh or dried) in 2023, with the United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom among the largest destinations by value. A key supply risk is Sri Lanka Cassava Mosaic Virus (SLCMV), which the Department of Agriculture notes can reduce yield and spreads via infected cuttings and whiteflies.
Market RoleDomestic producer market with niche exports
Domestic RoleStarchy root crop used domestically as a staple and for value-added uses (e.g., chips).
SeasonalityCultivation is described as year-round in Sri Lanka, with planting windows varying by agro-ecological zone (wet zone supports both Yala and Maha seasons; dry zone mainly Maha).
Specification
Physical Attributes- For Sri Lanka import clearance as a plant product, consignments and packing media are expected to be free of soil contamination (no adhering soil/growth medium).
Packaging- For import into Sri Lanka, packing materials/accompanying media are regulated and must not contain soil.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Cultivation/harvest of cassava roots → cleaning/handling → slicing/chipping (where applicable) → drying → packing → warehousing → port export shipment (HS 071410 trade line).
Temperature- Drying is a critical control step for shelf-stable cassava products; sun drying is commonly referenced as a low-cost method in cassava processing guidance, but requires contamination control.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Plant Disease HighSri Lanka Cassava Mosaic Virus (SLCMV) is identified by Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture as a cassava disease that can cause leaf symptoms, stunting, and yield reduction, and it can spread through infected cuttings used for propagation and via whiteflies. Severe field incidence can materially reduce cassava root availability and disrupt continuity for dried cassava supply and export programs.Use only verified disease-free planting material for contracted supply areas; implement field scouting and vector management; segregate or reject raw material from visibly affected blocks where buyer programs require strict quality continuity.
Regulatory Compliance MediumSri Lanka NPQS import clearance for plant products can detain consignments for document errors, missing declarations, or non-compliance with import permit conditions; soil contamination is explicitly flagged as a basis for enforcement action under NPQS import guidance.Align shipment document pack to NPQS document checklist and permit conditions; implement pre-shipment checks for soil-free packing and clean handling to reduce detention risk.
Logistics MediumModel inference: for low unit-value, bulky dried cassava cargo, container availability and freight-rate volatility on sea routes can shift landed cost materially and destabilize buyer pricing programs.Lock freight terms and sailing schedules early for peak seasons; use destination-specific cost models and buffer pricing for freight volatility in contracts.
Sustainability- Cassava cultivation in Sri Lanka is reported across wet, intermediate, and dry zones, including chena/open-land cultivation in parts of the dry zone; buyers may apply land-use and soil stewardship screening depending on sourcing district and farming system.
Labor & Social- Production is described in Sri Lankan value-chain literature as including backyard cultivation in some zones and larger-scale open-land systems in others; labor conditions are therefore heterogeneous and may require buyer due diligence where commercial aggregation is used.
FAQ
What documents are typically required to import dried cassava (as a plant product) into Sri Lanka?Sri Lanka’s National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) describes import clearance for plant and plant products as requiring an NPQS import permit and an original phytosanitary certificate, along with supporting trade documents such as a certificate of origin, invoice, packing list, and transport document (airway bill or bill of lading). NPQS also notes a treatment certificate (e.g., fumigation) may be required depending on the import permit conditions.
What is the biggest supply-side risk for cassava in Sri Lanka that could affect dried cassava availability?Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture identifies Sri Lanka Cassava Mosaic Virus (SLCMV) as a cassava disease that can cause stunting and yield reduction, and it can spread through infected cuttings and by whiteflies. High incidence in production areas can reduce root supply available for drying and export programs.
Where has Sri Lanka exported manioc (fresh or dried) recently?UN Comtrade data shown via the World Bank’s WITS portal reports Sri Lanka exports of HS 071410 “manioc, fresh or dried” in 2023, with the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom among the largest destinations by reported export value, followed by markets such as Qatar, Maldives, and Saudi Arabia.