Colombo, Sri Lanka – 01 September 2026 – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) today released its Daily Price Report for September 1, 2026, revealing a dynamic landscape of commodity price fluctuations across key markets. The report highlights varied trends in essential food items, with some prices declining due to favourable supply while others saw increases driven by limited availability.
This daily snapshot offers crucial insights for consumers, traders, and policymakers into the current economic climate, particularly concerning the cost of living and agricultural market efficiency. The shifts observed in vegetable, fish, fruit, and other staple commodity prices underscore the interplay of seasonal supply, regional production, and market demand.
Vegetable Market Sees Divergent Price Movements
The vegetable market presented a mixed picture, with notable changes in Dambulla, a crucial hub for agricultural trade.
- Cabbage Declines: Consumers in Dambulla can rejoice as the price of cabbage declined significantly, falling from Rs. 215.00 to Rs. 145.00 per kilogram. This favourable trend is attributed to abundant supply from the Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela areas.
- Tomato and Brinjal Rise: Conversely, tomato prices in Dambulla saw an increase from Rs. 240.00 to Rs. 255.00 per kilogram, primarily due to limited supply originating from the Sigiriya and Galewela regions. Similarly, brinjal prices in Dambulla rose from Rs. 255.00 to Rs. 280.00 per kilogram, influenced by restricted supply from Kalpitiya and Sigiriya.
- Other Vegetable Trends: Wholesale prices for beans in Dambulla also saw a decline (Rs. 400.00 to Rs. 275.00), with retail prices following suit (Rs. 430.00 to Rs. 305.00). Carrot prices in Dambulla also experienced a drop (wholesale Rs. 175.00 to Rs. 135.00; retail Rs. 205.00 to Rs. 165.00).
Fish Prices Fluctuate in Coastal and Wholesale Hubs
The Peliyagoda fish market, a key indicator for seafood prices, also reported contrasting movements.
- Kelawalla Sees Price Hike: The wholesale price of Kelawalla increased from Rs. 1,900.00 to Rs. 2,000.00 per kilogram. This upward adjustment is linked to a limited supply originating from the North Western coastal area.
- Hurulla Becomes More Affordable: In positive news for consumers, the wholesale price of Hurulla declined from Rs. 1,200.00 to Rs. 1,100.00 per kilogram at Peliyagoda. This reduction is a result of a favourable supply influx from the Northern coastal area.
Fruits and Other Staples Show Varied Performance
Beyond vegetables and fish, other essential commodities exhibited diverse price developments.
- Banana (Sour) Declines: Banana (sour) prices in the Dambulla market decreased from Rs. 175.00 to Rs. 140.00 per kilogram, buoyed by a robust supply from Kekirawa and Galewela areas.
- Coconut Prices Dip: Coconut prices in Dambulla also became more affordable, with a decline from Rs. 130.00 to Rs. 120.00 per nut. This is attributed to favourable supply from the Ibbagamuwa and Kurunegala areas.
- Other Commodities: Minor adjustments were noted in other categories, including local big onion (wholesale Dambulla Rs. 265.00 to Rs. 255.00) and local potato (wholesale Dambulla Rs. 295.00 to Rs. 290.00), reflecting localized supply and demand dynamics.
The CBSL’s daily price report serves as an essential tool for understanding the micro-economic shifts influencing the broader Sri Lankan economy. These daily insights help businesses plan and provide transparency for consumers navigating the current market conditions.
Source: Read original document