Sri Lanka’s livestock and fisheries sectors suffered major setbacks due to Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the country on 27 November, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in late November 2025 and lingered over the island for nearly three days, bringing exceptionally heavy rainfall that triggered severe flooding and numerous landslides, causing widespread devastation across the country.

Official estimates indicate the loss of about 475,000 poultry birds and nearly 50,000 other animals, including cattle, buffaloes, goats and swine.

The fisheries and aquaculture sectors also sustained extensive damage, with losses reported to fishing equipment, boats, fishponds, shrimp farms and related infrastructure. According to the latest official estimates, total losses in the fisheries sector are valued between Rs. 20.5 billion and Rs. 21.5 billion, equivalent to approximately USD 66.4 million to USD 69.7 million.

These losses are expected to reduce the availability of animal protein sources in the affected areas and undermine key livelihood assets for households dependent on fishing and livestock rearing.

Meanwhile, cereal production in 2025 is estimated to be above average. The 2025 cropping season, finalised in September, recorded aggregate cereal production of around 5.4 million tonnes, about 10 percent higher than the five-year average.