Plastic Exports in Sri Lanka

Plastic exports could be divided into two ways. One is Primary forms of plastics and the other is finished products of plastics. Total export value in the year 2009 is US$ 39.51 Mn. and 91% of them are finished products exports and rest 9% is Primary forms of plastics. There is considerable increase after the year 2000except the year 2009 due to the global recession.

In Sri Lanka around 440 companies have engaged in direct plastic exports during the year 2009 and around 385 (88%) of them are finished products exporters and rest 12% is raw materials & waste exporters. Raw material and waste exports are really re-exports. Among the finished products exports 60% exports are packaging materials & packaging goods of plastics (HS-3923). Cellulose & its Chemical derivatives are making the highest export value among the primary forms of plastic exports. It is around 6% of the total plastic exports in the year 2009. In the year 2009 total plastic export value was US$ 39.51 Mn.

Plastic Export Markets

Sri Lanka is exporting plastic products to large number of countries around the world. However, USA is the dominant buyer of plastic exports over the last number of years. Nearly 40% of the total exports go to the USA market.