Daily food prices
What the food a Colombo household bought in 2019 costs today, item by item.
The 2019 food basket cost a household Rs 39,501 in September, 8.6% more than a year earlier; CCPI food rose 8.7%
Monthly cost of 78 foods in the quantities a Colombo urban household bought in 2019, three-quarters of the CCPI food basket. Rupees per household per month.
- Oct so far
- −0.9%CCPI –
- On Aug 2026
- +0.1%CCPI +0.5%
- On Sep 2025
- +8.6%CCPI +8.7%
- Since Jan 2022
- +71.8%CCPI +74.0%
- Basket at market prices
- Basket moved by CCPI food from Jan 2022
Why the CCPI line starts in 2022. The official CCPI food index (2021 = 100) opens at 150.0 in Jan 2022, 50% above its own 2021 base. Over the same step, the old CCPI food index (2013 = 100) rose 18.4% and this basket 24.7%. DCS has not published monthly 2021 values for the new index, so the line here starts level with the basket in Jan 2022. Since then: basket +71.8%, CCPI food +74.0%.
Data sources: Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Daily Price Report (to 16 Oct 2026); Department of Census and Statistics, open market weekly average retail prices (to the release of 9 Oct 2026); DCS, CCPI (2021 = 100) base period weights and technical note; DCS, CCPI food index (Sep 2026). Basket calculated by Macro Lab.
CSV, every monthValues
| Change | Basket | CCPI food |
|---|---|---|
| Oct so far | −0.9% | – |
| On Aug 2026 | +0.1% | +0.5% |
| On Sep 2025 | +8.6% | +8.7% |
| Since Jan 2022 | +71.8% | +74.0% |
Recent months, Rs
| Oct 2026 to 16 Oct | 39,160 |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 39,501 |
| Aug 2026 | 39,463 |
| Jul 2026 | 38,750 |
| Jun 2026 | 39,185 |
| May 2026 | 37,823 |
| Apr 2026 | 37,168 |
Fish, vegetables, and milk and eggs take half the bill; vegetables added most over the year
Rs per household a month, Sep 2026- Fish · 12 items Rs 7,829 19.8% +12.8% on a year, +Rs 890−8.8% in Oct so far, −Rs 688
- Vegetables · 27 items Rs 6,039 15.3% +21.5% on a year, +Rs 1,070+5.0% in Oct so far, +Rs 301
- Milk and eggs · 3 items Rs 5,964 15.1% +10.0% on a year, +Rs 541−0.6% in Oct so far, −Rs 35
- Rice · 4 items Rs 4,820 12.2% −2.3% on a year, −Rs 1120.0% in Oct so far, Rs 0
- Coconut and oil · 2 items Rs 4,093 10.4% −3.9% on a year, −Rs 164+2.8% in Oct so far, +Rs 115
- Bread, flour and pulses · 6 items Rs 2,994 7.6% +1.3% on a year, +Rs 38+1.5% in Oct so far, +Rs 45
- Meat · 4 items Rs 2,873 7.3% +3.5% on a year, +Rs 96−0.4% in Oct so far, −Rs 10
- Sugar and spices · 13 items Rs 2,832 7.2% +6.0% on a year, +Rs 1600.0% in Oct so far, +Rs 1
- Fruit · 7 items Rs 2,057 5.2% +42.8% on a year, +Rs 617−3.3% in Oct so far, −Rs 69
Lines: monthly spend, Sep 2024 – Sep 2026, each scaled to its own range. Oct so far: average prices to 16 Oct against September's.
Lime and coconut pushed the bill up so far in October; Thalapath and Kelawalla pulled it down
Change in each item’s monthly cost, Sep 2026 to Oct 2026 so far (prices to 16 Oct 2026), rupees per household. Six largest each way. All 78 items together: −Rs 341.
Added to the bill
Took off the bill
Bars on one scale, Rs 300 = full length. Data sources: CBSL Daily Price Report; DCS weekly retail prices; DCS CCPI (2021 = 100) weights.
Lime and coconut pushed the bill up in September; green chilli and Salaya pulled it down
Change in each item’s monthly cost, Aug 2026 to Sep 2026, rupees per household. Six largest each way. All 78 items together: +Rs 38.
Added to the bill
Took off the bill
Bars on one scale, Rs 250 = full length. Data sources: CBSL Daily Price Report; DCS weekly retail prices; DCS CCPI (2021 = 100) weights.
Big onion (imported), Thalapath and milk powder added most to the monthly bill over the year
Change in each item’s monthly cost, Sep 2025 to Sep 2026, rupees per household. Six largest each way. All 78 items together: +Rs 3,135.
Added to the bill
Took off the bill
Bars on one scale, Rs 450 = full length. Data sources: CBSL Daily Price Report; DCS weekly retail prices; DCS CCPI (2021 = 100) weights.
The 25 biggest items make up three-quarters of the bill
Rupees per household a month, largest first. Under each name: the CCPI item it is matched to and its weight in the CCPI (per cent of all spending).
| Item | Prices | 2021 avg | Sep 2025 | Sep 2026 | On month | On year | Rs on year | Sep 2024 – Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk powderMilk powder · 1.71 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 1,571 | 4,545 | 4,906 | +2.6% | +7.9% | +361 | |
| CoconutCoconut (Nuts) · 1.38 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 1,268 | 3,362 | 3,247 | +5.5% | −3.4% | −115 | |
| ChickenChicken · 1.25 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 1,149 | 2,340 | 2,378 | −0.3% | +1.6% | +38 | |
| ThalapathThalapath · 0.84 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 772 | 1,416 | 1,817 | −5.4% | +28.3% | +401 | |
| KelawallaKelavalla · 0.74 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 680 | 1,366 | 1,691 | +1.1% | +23.7% | +324 | |
| BreadBread (Normal) · 0.81 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 744 | 1,571 | 1,665 | +0.9% | +6.0% | +95 | |
| Samba rice ‡Rice - (Samba) · 0.93 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 854 | 1,562 | 1,561 | 0.0% | −0.1% | −1 | |
| Kekulu rice (white) ‡Rice - (Kekulu white) · 0.63 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 579 | 1,151 | 1,201 | 0.0% | +4.3% | +49 | |
| Kekulu rice (red)Rice - (Kekulu - red) · 0.61 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 560 | 1,207 | 1,047 | 0.0% | −13.3% | −160 | |
| Nadu riceRice - (Nadu-White) + (Nadu-Red) · 0.55 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 505 | 1,012 | 1,012 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0 | |
| Big onion (imported)Bombay onions · 0.45 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 413 | 541 | 942 | −1.8% | +74.1% | +401 | |
| Coconut oilCoconut oil · 0.63 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 579 | 895 | 846 | 0.0% | −5.6% | −50 | |
| SugarSugar · 0.43 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 395 | 744 | 778 | +6.6% | +4.6% | +34 | |
| EggsHen · 0.37 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 340 | 580 | 720 | −13.4% | +24.2% | +140 | |
| Red dhalDhal - Misoor · 0.50 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 459 | 737 | 708 | +3.5% | −3.9% | −29 | |
| Katta (dried, imported) †Katta (dry) · 0.38 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 349 | 600 | 669 | −3.9% | +11.5% | +69 | |
| LimeLimes · 0.16 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 147 | 718 | 568 | +74.8% | −21.0% | −151 | |
| BeansBeans · 0.25 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 230 | 458 | 550 | +2.2% | +20.2% | +92 | |
| PapawPapaw · 0.29 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 266 | 392 | 543 | +3.6% | +38.7% | +152 | |
| Sprats (dried, imported)Sprats (dry) · 0.44 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 404 | 578 | 543 | 0.0% | −6.1% | −36 | |
| Linna ‡Linna · 0.29 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 266 | 526 | 541 | −12.0% | +2.8% | +15 | |
| SalayaSalaya/ Sudaya · 0.26 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 239 | 480 | 530 | −23.1% | +10.4% | +50 | |
| PepperPepper · 0.25 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 230 | 492 | 506 | −1.1% | +2.9% | +14 | |
| Banana (sour)Banana - Ambul · 0.16 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 147 | 285 | 486 | +21.6% | +70.8% | +202 | |
| Banana (kolikuttu)Banana - Kolikuttu · 0.20 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 184 | 281 | 472 | +19.3% | +67.7% | +190 | |
| ParawParaw · 0.26 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 239 | 448 | 464 | −7.5% | +3.7% | +17 | |
| BalayaBalaya · 0.19 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 175 | 416 | 390 | −8.5% | −6.3% | −26 | |
| Potato (local)Potatoes (half) · 0.17 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 156 | 246 | 385 | +5.2% | +56.6% | +139 | |
| MulletMullet · 0.19 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 175 | 350 | 373 | −1.3% | +6.5% | +23 | |
| Infant milk powderInfant milk powder · 0.13 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 119 | 298 | 338 | 0.0% | +13.3% | +40 | |
| Green chilliGreen chilies · 0.23 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 211 | 213 | 337 | −38.5% | +58.3% | +124 | |
| SaltSalt · 0.14 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 129 | 363 | 334 | −1.0% | −7.9% | −29 | |
| Dried chilli (imported)Dried chilies · 0.17 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 156 | 205 | 334 | 0.0% | +63.2% | +129 | |
| BrinjalBrinjal · 0.14 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 129 | 271 | 322 | −1.7% | +18.6% | +50 | |
| Maldive fishMaldives fish · 0.20 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 184 | 288 | 314 | +1.0% | +9.0% | +26 | |
| GotukolaGotukola · 0.19 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 175 | 278 | 300 | −5.4% | +8.0% | +22 | |
| BeefBeef · 0.11 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 101 | 250 | 278 | +0.9% | +11.3% | +28 | |
| Apple (imported) ‡Apple · 0.08 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 74 | 225 | 263 | +3.7% | +16.8% | +38 | |
| PrawnsPrawns · 0.15 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 138 | 249 | 259 | −2.1% | +4.1% | +10 | |
| Wheat flourWheat flour · 0.14 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 129 | 243 | 255 | +5.5% | +5.0% | +12 | |
| MukunuwennaMukunuwenna · 0.18 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 165 | 243 | 254 | −2.0% | +4.7% | +11 | |
| Potato (imported)Potatoes (half) · 0.17 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 156 | 253 | 252 | −0.2% | −0.3% | −1 | |
| Tinned fishCanned fish (Salmon) · 0.16 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 147 | 222 | 239 | +1.8% | +7.8% | +17 | |
| CarrotCarrot · 0.15 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 138 | 249 | 238 | −7.9% | −4.5% | −11 | |
| GarlicGarlic · 0.18 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 165 | 203 | 218 | +3.7% | +7.1% | +14 | |
| PumpkinSweet pumpkin · 0.12 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 110 | 80 | 213 | +6.7% | +167.9% | +134 | |
| Chickpeas (kadalai)Gram · 0.14 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 129 | 227 | 211 | −4.0% | −7.0% | −16 | |
| BeetrootBeetroot · 0.10 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 92 | 116 | 199 | −10.6% | +71.6% | +83 | |
| CabbageCabbage · 0.09 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 83 | 137 | 153 | +18.2% | +12.1% | +17 | |
| KankunKankun · 0.10 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 92 | 134 | 140 | −1.5% | +4.4% | +6 | |
| MuttonMutton · 0.06 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 55 | 107 | 126 | +2.0% | +17.7% | +19 | |
| CinnamonCinnamon · 0.07 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 64 | 105 | 122 | +0.6% | +16.5% | +17 | |
| Bitter gourdBitter gourd · 0.07 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 64 | 108 | 117 | −14.6% | +8.8% | +10 | |
| KaturumurungaKaturumurunga · 0.07 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 64 | 105 | 113 | −1.4% | +7.3% | +8 | |
| Okra (bandakka)Bandakka · 0.08 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 74 | 114 | 112 | −13.3% | −1.8% | −2 | |
| TurmericTurmeric/Turmeric powder · 0.12 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 110 | 118 | 111 | −1.9% | −6.4% | −8 | |
| PineapplePineapple · 0.04 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 37 | 96 | 108 | +1.8% | +12.7% | +12 | |
| GorakaGoraka · 0.10 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 92 | 99 | 103 | +1.3% | +3.3% | +3 | |
| Red onion (local) ‡Red onions · 0.17 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 156 | 139 | 101 | +2.4% | −26.8% | −37 | |
| LeeksLeeks · 0.06 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 55 | 73 | 101 | −1.4% | +38.4% | +28 | |
| Long beansLong beans · 0.05 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 46 | 74 | 96 | +3.0% | +28.8% | +21 | |
| Ash plantainAsh plantain · 0.05 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 46 | 70 | 95 | +0.9% | +35.7% | +25 | |
| TomatoTomatoes · 0.04 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 37 | 48 | 95 | +3.6% | +97.0% | +47 | |
| Orange (imported) ‡Oranges · 0.04 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 37 | 88 | 94 | +3.2% | +7.2% | +6 | |
| Pork ‡Pork · 0.03 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 28 | 81 | 92 | +3.2% | +13.4% | +11 | |
| Banana (anamalu)Banana - Anamalu · 0.05 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 46 | 75 | 91 | +9.1% | +22.5% | +17 | |
| CucumberCucumber/Kekiri · 0.06 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 55 | 87 | 90 | −2.9% | +3.2% | +3 | |
| Green gramGreen gram · 0.08 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 74 | 98 | 89 | −0.2% | −9.2% | −9 | |
| TamarindTamarind · 0.06 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 55 | 103 | 86 | +0.8% | −16.2% | −17 | |
| Snake gourdSnake gourd · 0.04 · CBSL daily | CBSL daily | 37 | 61 | 75 | +15.9% | +23.8% | +14 | |
| Fenugreek (mathe)Mathe seeds · 0.05 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 46 | 72 | 73 | +1.0% | +2.3% | +2 | |
| Ridge gourd (vetakolu)Ridge gourd · 0.04 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 37 | 55 | 69 | 0.0% | +25.0% | +14 | |
| Cumin and fennelCumin & Panel seeds · 0.04 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 37 | 73 | 68 | −1.1% | −6.1% | −4 | |
| Capsicum ‡Capsicum · 0.05 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 46 | 59 | 66 | −1.9% | +10.6% | +6 | |
| CowpeaCowpea · 0.05 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 46 | 80 | 66 | −0.6% | −18.5% | −15 | |
| MustardMustard · 0.04 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 37 | 58 | 57 | −1.4% | −1.5% | −1 | |
| RadishRadish · 0.03 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 28 | 38 | 54 | −0.2% | +42.0% | +16 | |
| CorianderCoriander · 0.03 · DCS weekly | DCS weekly | 28 | 38 | 42 | +2.1% | +10.2% | +4 | |
| No item matches. | ||||||||
| All 78 itemsCCPI weight 20.06 · 76.5% of food | 36 CBSL, 42 DCS | 18,431 | 36,365 | 39,501 | +0.1% | +8.6% | +3,135 | |
CBSL daily: Narahenpita retail, Pettah where Narahenpita has no price. DCS weekly: average of the main Colombo district markets. † Katta (dried, imported) follows Pettah's price changes from Jul 2026: Narahenpita had no price. ‡ Months with no price in both the month and the one before take the average change of the item’s food group: Red onion (local) (18), Linna (9), Orange (imported) (4), Kekulu rice (white) (2), Apple (imported) (2), Pork (2), Samba rice (1), Capsicum (1). Lines are scaled to each item’s own range.
How the basket is built
- Quantities
- The CCPI (2021 = 100) item weights, which DCS takes from the Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2019 for urban Colombo households. The 78 priced items carry a combined weight of 20.06, or 76.5% of the food weight of 26.23.
- Rupees
- DCS puts the CCPI basket at Rs 91,880.34 a household a month at 2021 prices. Each item’s 2021 spend is its weight times that total; milk powder, at 1.71, is Rs 1,571.
- Prices
- 36 items from the CBSL Daily Price Report, 42 that CBSL does not price (milk powder, chicken, bread, meat, spices and others) from the DCS weekly retail prices. Each month, an item’s 2021 spend is multiplied by its monthly average price relative to its 2021 average.
- Joins and gaps
- Renamed CBSL items are joined: Dhal to Red dhal, Sprat and Katta to their imported versions. Milk powder follows the brands DCS prices, joined across DCS’s label changes. 39 of 5,460 item-months had no price and take their group’s average change.
- Not covered
- 23.5% of the food weight has no price in either source: tea, biscuits, ice cream, yoghurt, chilli powder, buns, noodles and others.
- What it is not
- It holds 2019 quantities fixed, so it ignores households switching to cheaper foods. It is a Macro Lab calculation, not an official index. CCPI “Hen” is taken as eggs; potatoes are split evenly between local and imported.
Every item, group and the total are series of their own under Prices and inflation, with each month to download.