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Sri Lanka’s Export Sector Maintains Upward Momentum, achieving nearly US$ 13 Bn in earnings by Q3 2025

Sri Lanka’s Export Sector Maintains Upward Momentum, achieving nearly US$ 13 Bn in earnings by Q3 2025

2025-10-23

Sri Lanka’s export sector continued to demonstrate resilience and steady growth during the period of January to September of 2025, recording total earnings of US$ 12,986.52 Mn. This reflects a strong 7 % increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

In September 2025 alone, total exports, comprising both merchandise and services reached to US$ 1,469.75 Mn, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth of 12.33 % over September 2024. This performance highlights the strength of Sri Lanka’s export sector and the effectiveness of the strategies implemented to expand market access and enhance global competitiveness.

Commenting on the positive results, Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board (EDB), stated:

“This encouraging growth reflects Sri Lanka’s deepening integration into global trade and the success of our continued efforts to enhance export competitiveness and diversify market opportunities. Our exporters have once again demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation in navigating evolving global challenges.

Exceeding US$ 12.9 billion in cumulative export earnings by September 2025 is an evidence to the strength and determination of our export community. With over 72% of our annual export target already achieved by the end of the third quarter, we remain confident that, through sustained collaboration and strategic action, Sri Lanka will successfully reach its 2025 export Target.”

Sri Lanka’s Export Sector Maintains Upward Momentum, achieving nearly US$ 13 Bn in earnings by Q3 2025

In September 2025 alone, merchandise exports grew by 15.02 % year-on-year, reaching US$ 1,163.66 Mn, according to provisional data of Sri Lanka Customs including the estimates for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products. For the period January to September 2025, merchandise exports totaled US$ 10,240.52 Mn, reflecting 7.59 % increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Meanwhile, services exports have emerged as a key driver of overall export growth. In September 2025, earnings from services exports estimated to be US$ 306.09 Mn. Over the first three quarters of the year, services exports are estimated to have increased by 4.48 %, totaling US$ 2,746.03 Mn. This trend highlights the rising importance of Sri Lanka’s knowledge-based economy and its growing contribution to national export earnings.

The services export sector, comprising ICT/BPM, Construction, Financial services, and Transport & Logistics, continues to diversify Sri Lanka's export portfolio and create high-value employment opportunities across the Island.

Major Exports in September 2025

a) Products & Services with Positive Growth (Increases)

Export earnings from Apparel & Textiles have increased by 1.53 % y-o-y to US$ 425.07 Mn in September 2025, compared to September 2024.

Export earnings from tea which made up 12.8% of merchandise exports, increased by 17.06 % y-o-y to US$ 137.0 Mn in September 2025 compared to September 2024. This increase is mainly due to the strong performance in the export of Tea Packets (11.58%), Bulk Tea (19.36%) and Instant Tea (70.44%).

In addition, the volume of tea exports increased by 20.11 % in September 2025 compared to the same month in 2024.

Notably, tea exports to Iraq, Turkey and Libya recorded significant increases of 28.86 %, 122.6 %, and 12.5 % respectively.

A monthly analysis reveals that export earnings from Coconut based products showing a significant increase of 72.03 % in September 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Notably, earnings from Coconut kernel products increased by 100.34 %, Coconut fiber products by 44.43 %, and Coconut shell products by 33.7 %, reflecting strong global demand and improved value addition across the sector.

Export earnings from Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk powder, Coconut Cream and Liquid Coconut Milk which are categorized under the Coconut kernel products increased by 92.66 %, 105.65 %, 167.87 % and 101.25 % respectively in September 2025 compared to September 2024.

Being the largest contributor to Coconut based sector, Coco Peat, Fiber Pith & Moulded products which are categorized under the Coconut fiber products, increased by 44.17 % to US$ 23.99 Mn in September 2025 in comparison to September 2024.

Earnings from Activated Carbon, which is categorized under the Coconut shell products increased by 33.64 % to US$ 17.6 Mn in September 2025 compared to September 2024.

Export earnings from Food & Beverages have increased by 50.11 % y-o-y to US$ 49.85 Mn in September 2025, with the positive performance in exports of Processed Food (71.97 %).

Export earnings from Seafood increased by 53.07 % to US$ 22.7 Mn in September 2025 compared to September 2024. This increase was mainly due to the positive performance in export of Fish Fresh or Chilled (108.16 %) and Frozen fish (53.9 %).

Export earnings from Ornamental fish increased by 10.14 % to US$ 2.39 Mn in September 2025 compared to September 2024.

The estimated value of Diamonds, Gems & Jewellery is expected to increase by 76.95 % to US$ 43.53 Mn in September 2025 when compared to September 2024.

Export earnings from Electrical & Electronics Components increased by 29.5 % y-o-y to US$ 36.39 Mn in September 2025.

Furthermore, the estimated value of ICT/ BPM exports is expected to increase by 27.05 % to US$ 157.76 Mn in September 2025 when compared to September 2024.

b) Products with Negative Growth (Decreases)

Export earnings from Rubber and Rubber Finished products have decreased by 6.55 % y-o-y to US$ 74.29 Mn in September 2025, with the negative performance in exports of Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tubes (-16.27 %).

Meanwhile, exports of Spices and Essential Oils decreased by 10.18 % to US$ 43.15 Mn in September 2025, largely driven by a sharp decline in pepper exports to India, which decreased by 60.2 %.

Similarly, the estimated export value of Logistics & Transport Services is projected to decrease by 14.95 % to US$ 128.44 Mn in September 2025, compared to September 2024.

Exports during the period of January – September 2025

Cumulative total exports, including both merchandise and services, were estimated at US$ 12,986.52 Mn for the period January to September 2025, making a notable 6.92 % growth compared to the same period in 2024.

Merchandise exports during the first three quarters of 2025 are estimated to increase by 7.59 %, reaching US$ 10,240.52 Mn, based on data from Sri Lanka Customs along with the estimated figures for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products.

Meanwhile, the estimated value of services exports is expected to increase by 4.49 % to US$ 2,746.03 Mn compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

a) Products & Services with Positive Growth (Increases)

Earnings from export of Apparel, Tea, Coconut products, Spices & Concentrates and Food & Beverages increased by 6.22 %, 9.8 %, 41.83 %, 2.41 % and 24.75 % respectively during the period of first three quarters of 2025 in comparison to the corresponding period of 2024.

Earnings from export of Apparel & Textile have increased by 6.22 % to US$ 4,011.66 Mn during the period of January to September 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, exports to the United States, the United Kingdom and EU region increased by 2.03 % , 2.47 % and 14.08 % amounting to US$ 1,473.81 Mn, US$ 540.48 Mn and US$ 1,186.85 Mn respectively.

Earnings from export of Tea increased y-o-y by 9.8 % to US$ 1,163.05 Mn in the period of January to September 2025. This increase was mainly due to the strong performance in export of Tea Packets (16.43 %) and Bulk Tea (0.36%).

Export earnings of Coconut & Coconut based products increased by 41.83 % to US$ 909.09 Mn during the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the last year. Earnings from all the major categories of Coconut based products increased in the period of January to September 2025 compared with the corresponding period of 2024 due to the strong performance in export of Coconut Oil (77.84 %), Desiccated Coconut (39.5 %), Coconut Milk Powder (77.41 %), Coconut Cream (83.68 %), Liquid Coconut Milk (48.68 %), Cocopeat (25.02 %) and Activated Carbon (24.25 %).

In addition, export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils increased y-o-y by 2.41 % to US$ 329.84 Mn in the period of first three quarters of 2025. This increase was due to the strong performance in exports of Cinnamon (21.83 %) and Cloves (172.82 %).

Export earnings from Food & Beverages have increased by 24.75 % y-o-y to US$ 435.31 Mn in the first three quarters of 2025, with the positive performance in exports of Processed food (48.45 %).

In addition, export earnings from Seafood increased by 2.89 % to US$ 184.56 Mn during the first three quarters of 2025 compared to year 2024 due to the positive performance in Frozen Fish (18.63%).

Meanwhile earnings from export of Electrical and Electronic Components (EEC) increased by 1.77 % to US$ 315.96 Mn in the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the corresponding period of 2024. This increase was due to the positive performance in exports of Electrical Transformers (17.62 %).

Furthermore, the estimated value of ICT/ BPM exports is expected to increase by 9.27 % to US$ 1,201.2 Mn during the period of January to September 2025 when compared to the corresponding period of 2024.

In addition, the estimated value of Logistics & transport services is expected to increase by 6.67 % to US$ 1,403.0 Mn during the period of January to September 2025 when compared to the corresponding period of 2024.

b) Products with Negative Growth (Decreases)

Export earnings from Rubber & Rubber finished products decreased by 5.97 % to US$ 713.62 Mn in the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 attributed to decreased exports of Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tube (-16.3%).

In addition, export earnings from Ornamental fish decreased by 3.96 % to US$ 17.97 Mn in the first three quarters of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024

Table 1 shows the comparison of Merchandise export performance during the month of September 2025 and the period of January to September 2025 compared to 2024.

Sri Lanka’s Export Sector Maintains Upward Momentum, achieving nearly US$ 13 Bn in earnings by Q3 2025

Sri Lanka’s Export Performance in Major Markets

Among the top 10 export destinations, India, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, UAE, Canada, France and China recorded year-on-year growth in September 2025 as well as during the cumulative period from January to September 2025.

The United States, Sri Lanka’s largest single export destination accounting for 23% of country’s merchandise exports, decreased by 2.84 % to US$ 238.72 Mn in September 2025 compared to September 2024. However, exports to United States increased by 3.04 % over the cumulative period from January to September 2025, reaching US$ 2,251.85 Mn.

India has continued as the Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination, surpassing the United Kingdom. Exports to India increased by 31.7 % to US$ 87.33 Mn in September 2025, while cumulative exports from January to September 2025 increased by 23.09 %, reaching US$ 2,251.85 Mn compared to the same period in 2024.

Exports to the United Kingdom decreased by 4.75 % to US$ 74.06 Mn in September 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. During the cumulative period from January to September 2025, exports to the UK recorded a growth of 4.4 %, reaching US$ 721.73 Mn compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

Table 2 shows the comparison of Merchandise export performance of top 15 export markets during the month of September 2025 and the period of January to September 2025 compared to 2024.

Sri Lanka’s Export Sector Maintains Upward Momentum, achieving nearly US$ 13 Bn in earnings by Q3 2025

Exports to FTA Partners (India & Pakistan)

a) September 2025

In September 2025, exports to India and Pakistan accounted for 7.86% of total merchandise exports, registering a y-o-y increase of 29.36 % to US$ 93.5 Mn, compared to September 2024.

Exports to India increased by 31.7 % primarily due to increase in Petroleum and Animal feed exports Meanwhile, exports to Pakistan increased by 3.18 % mainly as a result of increased shipments of Other Betel leaves

b) January - September 2025

During the period from January to September 2025, exports to India and Pakistan accounted for 8.2% of Sri Lanka’s total merchandise exports, recording a substantial increase of 20.89 % to reach US$ 848.35 Mn compared to the same period in the previous year.

Exports to India increased significantly by 23.09 %, driven primarily by increased shipments of Petroleum Oil, Animal feed and Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils and their Products. Meanwhile, exports to Pakistan decreased by 3.45 %, due to the decrease exports of Desiccated Coconut.

Sri Lanka’s Export Performance in Regions

Table 3 shows the comparison of region wise exports during the month of September 2025 and the period of January to September 2025 compared to 2024.

Sri Lanka’s Export Sector Maintains Upward Momentum, achieving nearly US$ 13 Bn in earnings by Q3 2025

Exports to the European Union (EU), which account for 24% of Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports, increased during both August 2025 and the cumulative period of January to September 2025 respectively by 26.48 % and 14.66 %.

Exports to the top five EU markets were recoded as; Germany US$ 535.94 Mn (increased by 12.28 %), Italy US$ 506.77 Mn (increased by 14.68 %), Netherlands US$ 346.66 Mn (increased by 21.39 %), France US$ 212.69 Mn. (increased by 6.75 %) and Belgium US$ 187.5 Mn (increased by 7.71 %) during the cumulative period of January to September 2025 in comparison to the corresponding period in 2024.

Sources: Data was obtained from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and Sri Lanka Customs.
Export figures of Services, Gems & Jewellery, and Petroleum Products for September 2025 were estimated by the EDB

Policy & Strategic Planning Division - 22.10.2025

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