Rooted in Tradition
Sri Lankan Yams & Root Vegetables for Export
Sri Lanka's diverse yam and tuber heritage offers a compelling range of root vegetables unique to the island. Nutritious, versatile, and in growing demand globally, Harvest Gate exports them directly from Sri Lankan farms.
Request a QuoteSri Lanka's Rich Yam & Tuber Tradition
Root vegetables and yams have been a cornerstone of Sri Lankan nutrition for centuries. Cultivated in the island's diverse agro-ecological zones — from the dry zone to the wet zone hill country — Sri Lanka's yam varieties are deeply embedded in local food culture and traditional medicine alike.
With growing international interest in root vegetables as alternatives to refined carbohydrates, Sri Lankan yams are increasingly sought by health food retailers, ethnic grocery chains, and specialty importers worldwide. Harvest Gate bridges Sri Lankan farmers with global buyers, ensuring consistent supply, quality grading, and compliant export documentation.
Purple Yam (Ube / Nil Ala)
Sri Lanka's purple yam (Dioscorea alata) is prized for its striking violet-purple flesh and naturally sweet flavour. Increasingly popular in global markets — particularly in Southeast Asian and Pacific Island cuisines — purple yam is used in desserts, ice creams, pastries, and as a natural food colouring agent.
Available As: Fresh, frozen chunks, powder (spray-dried), flour
Key Markets: Philippines, Japan, USA, Australia, UK
Nutritional Highlight: High anthocyanin antioxidant content
Cassava (Manioc / Manyokka)
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is one of Sri Lanka's most important starchy root crops. With a neutral flavour and dense, floury texture, cassava is exported fresh for cooking use and processed into tapioca starch, chips, and flour. It is a significant commodity for African, Asian, and South American food processing markets.
Available As: Fresh roots, peeled & frozen, cassava flour, tapioca starch, dried chips
Key Markets: UAE, UK, Nigeria, USA, EU
Starch Content: 25–32% (fresh weight basis)
Sweet Potato (Bathala)
Sri Lankan sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is cultivated in both orange-fleshed and white-fleshed varieties, offering natural sweetness and a high beta-carotene content. In strong demand in health-conscious markets for its nutritional profile, we export fresh sweet potatoes and value-added products including dried slices and flour.
Varieties: Orange-fleshed, white-fleshed, purple-fleshed
Available As: Fresh, dried slices, flour, frozen cubes
Key Markets: UK, USA, Germany, UAE, Japan
Innala (Solenostemon rotundifolius)
Innala is a small, waxy tuber unique to South Asia and almost exclusive to Sri Lanka in commercial availability. With a delicate, nutty flavour and crisp texture when cooked, Innala is a beloved ingredient in Sri Lankan home cooking and is gaining attention in ethnic food markets worldwide as an authentic Sri Lankan specialty.
Available As: Fresh whole tubers
Key Markets: UK, Canada, UAE, Australia
Note: A uniquely Sri Lankan export with limited global competition
Elephant Foot Yam (Sudu Ala)
The elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) is a large, starchy tuber widely used in Sri Lankan curries and Ayurvedic preparations. Rich in glucomannan fibre, it is increasingly exported to health food markets and Asian food manufacturers as a natural thickener and functional ingredient.
Available As: Fresh whole, peeled & frozen, dried chips, flour
Key Markets: India, Japan, Malaysia, UK, UAE
Nutritional Highlight: High dietary fibre (glucomannan) content
More Yams We Export
Sri Lanka's yam heritage includes numerous additional varieties, many of which have specific cultural and nutritional significance in diaspora and specialty food markets.
Kiri Ala (Colocasia esculenta)
A starchy, mild-flavoured taro variety grown in Sri Lanka's wet zone. Exported fresh to South Asian diaspora markets and used in traditional Sri Lankan white curry dishes.
Kohila (Lasia spinosa)
Kohila is a traditional Sri Lankan root vegetable with a firm texture and earthy flavour. Valued in Ayurvedic medicine and used in Sri Lankan cuisine. Exported fresh to ethnic grocery markets.
Ginger & Turmeric (Fresh)
Fresh ginger and turmeric rhizomes from Sri Lanka are exported to food manufacturers and ethnic retailers. Known for their high essential oil and curcumin content respectively.
Our Expertise From Processing to Transportation
Root vegetables require careful washing, grading, curing (where applicable), and moisture management before export. Harvest Gate operates grading and packing facilities equipped to handle large volumes of root vegetables to export standards, ensuring freedom from soil contamination, pests, and decay.
We export yams and root vegetables in sea freight containers (FCL/LCL) with proper ventilation and full phytosanitary documentation. Our logistics team handles all cargo booking, customs declaration, and paperwork to ensure smooth import clearance at the buyer's port.
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