When are vegetables in season in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka has two growing seasons, both set by the monsoons: Maha, the main season, from September to April with the north-east monsoon, and Yala, from May to September with the south-west monsoon (DCS). Vegetables such as okra and bitter gourd are planted in both, and some grow all year where the climate or irrigation allows (DOA).
| Season | Months | Monsoon | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maha | September to April | North-east monsoon | The main season |
| Yala | May to September | South-west monsoon | The secondary season |
As defined by the Department of Census and Statistics; see the sources at the end of this page.
When are okra and gourds planted in Sri Lanka?
The Department of Agriculture gives these planting times for the vegetables Harvest Gate exports (DOA):
- Okra: in Yala from early April to early May, and in Maha from early September to early October.
- Bitter gourd: in Maha in October and November, and in Yala in April and May.
- Snake gourd: in the dry zone in the Yala season; in the wet zone all through the year.
- Winged bean: at the start of the rains, or at any time where there is enough irrigation.
Harvests follow within weeks. Okra is picked about every two days, up to 25 times, between 50 and 100 days after planting. Snake gourd is harvested from 60 to 75 days after planting, every four days. The recommended winged bean varieties start at 70 to 75 days and are picked every three to four days for six to seven weeks. Brinjal is harvested from 10 to 12 weeks after transplanting, weekly for 10 to 12 pickings (DOA).
Which Sri Lankan vegetables can be grown year round?
Several can, where the climate or irrigation allows. Okra can be grown throughout the year in any zone except the up-country wet zone. Bitter gourd can be grown all year in suitable areas. Snake gourd is grown throughout the year in the wet zone. Newer winged bean varieties give a yield all through the year, while the local selections fruit in Maha (DOA).
Drumstick and ash plantain grow on perennial plants, a tree and a banana plant, so they are not planted season by season like the others.
How far ahead should orders be placed?
The seasons above show when each vegetable is planted, and fresh vegetables are harvested within weeks of planting. So when you request a quote, tell us the vegetables, the quantities, the destination and the months you need, and we check availability for those months before quoting.
Harvest Gate is an agricultural exporter based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Its fresh vegetables ship by sea from the Port of Colombo or by air from Bandaranaike International Airport. How we work and the guides to importing from Sri Lanka set out the steps, and the guide to Incoterms for perishables explains the terms for air freight.
Sources
- DCS, the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka: definitions of the Maha season and the Yala season (crop estimating surveys on paddy).
- DOA, the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka, crop pages of its Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute: okra, bitter gourd, snake gourd, winged bean and brinjal.
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