Sri Lanka's export sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and steady momentum during the first seven months of 2025, with total exports reaching US$ 9,992.53 Mn, marking a robust 7.79 % growth compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
In July 2025 alone, total exports, comprising both merchandise and services reached to US$ 1,641.11 Mn, recording an impressive 12.68 % year-on-year growth over July 2024. This performance highlights the strength of Sri Lanka’s export sector and the effectiveness of strategies implemented to broaden 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 highlights Sri Lanka’s increasing integration into global trade and the success of our continued efforts to strengthen export competitiveness while diversifying market opportunities. Our exporters have once again proven their resilience and adaptability in navigating dynamic global markets.
It is encouraging to see exports surpassing US$ 1.6 Bn in July and reaching nearly US$ 10 Bn in the first seven months. This reflects the resilience of our exporters amidst global challenges. While we celebrate this progress, we remain cautious of uncertainties ahead. With continued efforts to enhance competitiveness and diversify markets, we are confident of achieving the 2025 export target.”
In July 2025 alone, merchandise exports grew by 15.37 % year-on-year, reaching US$ 1,304.0 Mn, according to provisional data of Sri Lanka Customs including the estimates for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products. For the period January to July 2025, merchandise exports totaled US$ 7,799.82 Mn, reflecting 7.22 % increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, services exports have emerged as a key driver of overall export growth. In July 2025, earnings from services exports estimated to be US$ 337.11 Mn. Over the first seven months of the year, services exports are estimated to have increased by 9.86 %, totaling US$ 2,192.71 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 July 2025
a) Products & Services with Positive Growth (Increases)
Export earnings from tea which made up 12.8% of merchandise exports, increased by 13.09% y-o-y to US$ 141.02 Mn in July 2025 compared to July 2024. This increase is mainly due to the strong performance in the export of Tea Packets (18.34%), Bulk Tea (4.7%) and Instant Tea (77.10%).
In addition, the volume of tea exports increased by 12.56 % in July 2025 compared to the same month in 2024.
Notably, tea exports to Iraq and Libya recorded significant increases of 25.84%, 126.13% respectively, while tea exports to Iran has decreased by 17.52% in July 2025 compared to the same month in 2024.
A monthly analysis reveals that export earnings from Coconut based products showing a significant increase of 63.85% in July 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Notably, earnings from Coconut kernel products increased by 95.46%, Coconut fiber products by 25.36%, and Coconut shell products by 37.33%, 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 129.71%, 100.89%, 92.87% and 104.81% respectively in July 2025 compared to July 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 25.66% to US$ 22.77 Mn in July 2025 in comparison to July 2024.
Earnings from Activated Carbon, which is categorized under the Coconut shell products increased by 42.45% to US$ 19.16 Mn in July 2025 compared to July 2024.
Export earnings from Food & Beverages have increased by 64.47% y-o-y to US$ 60.92 Mn in July 2025, with the positive performance in exports of Processed Food (65.55%).
Export earnings from Apparel & Textiles have slightly increased by 8.15% y-o-y to US$ 479.90 Mn in July 2025, compared to July 2024.
Export earnings from Rubber and Rubber Finished products have increased by 10.10% y-o-y to US$ 84.56 Mn in July 2025, with the positive performance in exports of Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tubes (10.38 %) and Industrial & Surgical Gloves of Rubber (4.87%).
Export earnings from Seafood increased by 78.17% to US$ 39.25 Mn in July 2025 compared to July 2024. This increase was mainly due to the positive performance in export of Fish Fresh or Chilled (148.54%) and Frozen fish (44.28%).
Furthermore, export earnings from Ornamental fish increased by 148.97% to US$ 4.83 Mn in July 2025 compared to July 2024.
Moreover, the estimated value of Diamonds, Gems & Jewellery is expected to increase by 18.52 % to US$ 38.5 Mn in July 2025 when compared to July 2024.
Furthermore, the estimated value of Logistics and Transport services is projected to rise by 14.33 % to reach US$ 178.74 Mn in July 2025 compared to July 2024.
b) Products with Negative Growth (Decreases)
Export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils decreased by 39.85% to US$ 36.81 Mn in July 2025 compared to July 2024. This significant drop was primarily driven by a sharp decrease in Pepper exports, which decreased by 81.18%. Additionally, Cinnamon exports also recorded a year-on-year decrease of 2.53% in July 2025.
Furthermore, export earnings from Electrical & Electronics Components decreased slightly by 0.57% y-o-y to US$ 38.22 Mn in July 2025.
Exports during the period of January – July 2025
Cumulative total exports, including both merchandise and services, were estimated at US$ 9,992.53 Mn for the period January to July 2025, making a notable 7.79 % growth compared to the same period in 2024.
Merchandise exports during the first seven months of 2025 are estimated to increase by 7.22 %, reaching US$ 7,799.82 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 9.86 % to US$ 2,192.71 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 8.18 %, 8.92 %, 37.34 %, 10.51 % and 23.59 % respectively during the period of first seven months of 2025 in comparison to the corresponding period of 2024.
Earnings from export of Apparel & Textile have increased by 8.18 % to US$ 3079.76 Mn during the period of January to July 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, exports to the United States, the United Kingdom and EU region increased by 3.16% , 5.76%, and 17.9% amounting to US$ 1099.22 Mn, US$ 428.14 Mn and US$ 924.86 Mn respectively.
Earnings from export of Tea increased y-o-y by 8.92 % to US$ 884.09 Mn in the period of January to July 2025. This increase was mainly due to the strong performance in export of Tea Packets (18.95 %).
Export earnings of Coconut & Coconut based products increased by 37.34% to US$ 660.61 Mn during the first seven months of 2025 compared to the last year. Earnings from all the major categories of Coconut based products increased in the period of January to July 2025 compared with the corresponding period of 2024 due to the strong performance in export of Coconut Oil (81.81%), Desiccated Coconut (30.98%), Coconut Milk Powder (83.29%), Coconut Cream (70.37%), Liquid Coconut Milk (44.94%), Cocopeat (20.72%) and Activated Carbon (20.30%).
In addition, export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils increased y-o-y by 10.51% to US$ 245.36 Mn in the period of first seven months of 2025. This increase was due to the strong performance in exports of Cinnamon (19.25%) and Cloves (212.56%).
Export earnings from Food & Beverages have increased by 22.59 % y-o-y to US$ 339.85 Mn in the first seven months of 2025, with the positive performance in exports of Processed food (41.99%).
Furthermore, the estimated value of ICT/ BPM exports is expected to increase by 7.23 % to US$ 897.49 Mn during the period of January to July 2025 when compared to the corresponding period of 2024.
In addition, the estimated value of Logistics & transport services is expected to increase by 21.24 % to US$ 1,195.25 Mn during the period of January to July 2025 when compared to the corresponding period of 2024.
b) Products with Negative Growth (Decreases)
Export earnings from Rubber & Rubber finished products decreased by 4.05% to US$ 552.36 Mn in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 attributed to decreased exports of Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tubes (-15.48%).
Further, export earnings from Seafood decreased by 4.81% to US$ 143.43 Mn during the first seven months of 2025 compared to year 2024 due to the negative performance in Fresh Fish (-16.52%) and Shrimps (-51.05%).
Meanwhile earnings from export of Electrical and Electronic Components (EEC) decreased by 1.57% to US$ 239.66 Mn in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the corresponding period of 2024. This decrease was due to the poor performance in exports of Insulated Wires and Cables (-8.27%) and Printed Circuits (-62.46%).
Table 1 shows the comparison of Merchandise export performance during the month of July 2025 and the period of January to July 2025 compared to 2024.
Sri Lanka’s Export Performance in Major Markets
Except for the Netherlands, the top 10 export destinations recorded positive y-o-y growth in July 2025. Additionally, except for the Netherlands and Canada, the top 10 export destinations showed positive y-o-y growth during the cumulative period from January to July 2025.
The United States, Sri Lanka’s largest single export destination accounting for 23% of country’s merchandise exports, increased by 2.64 % to US$ 274.07 Mn in July 2025 compared to July 2024. Furthermore, exports to United States increased by 4.29 % over the cumulative period from January to July 2025, reaching US$ 1,709.06 Mn.
India has continued as the Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination, surpassing the United Kingdom. Exports to India increased by 28.87 % to US$ 118.69 Mn in July 2025, while cumulative exports from January to July 2025 surged by 26.97 %, reaching US$ 624.31 Mn compared to the same period in 2024.
Exports to the United Kingdom increased by 9.37 % to US$ 81.37 Mn in July 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. During the cumulative period from January to July 2025, exports to the UK recorded a growth of 7.26 %, reaching US$ 565.29 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 July 2025 and the period of January to July 2025 compared to 2024.
Exports to FTA Partners (India & Pakistan)
a) July 2025
In July 2025, exports to India and Pakistan accounted for 7.86% of total merchandise exports, registering a significant y-o-y growth of 29.48% to reach US$127.89 Mn, compared to July 2024.
Exports to India increased by 28.87%, primarily driven by higher shipments of Petroleum Oil and Animal Feed. Meanwhile, exports to Pakistan increased by 37.93%, largely due to a sharp increase in exports of betel leaves.
b) January - July 2025
During the period from January to July 2025, exports to India and Pakistan accounted for 8.2% of Sri Lanka’s total merchandise exports, recording a substantial increase of 24.38 % to reach US$ 666.82 Mn compared to the same period in the previous year.
Exports to India increased significantly by 26.97 %, 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 4.36 %, due to the decrease exports of Desiccated Coconut and Base Metal products.
Sri Lanka’s Export Performance in Regions
Table 3 shows the comparison of region wise exports during the month of July 2025 and the period of January to July 2025 compared to 2024.
Exports to the European Union (EU), which account for 24% of Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports, increased during both July 2025 and the cumulative period of January to July 2025 respectively by 40.39 % and 15.64 %.
Exports to the top five EU markets were recoded as; Germany US$ 420.69Mn (increased by16.76 %), Italy US$ 379.88 Mn (increased by 12.43 %), Netherlands US$ 265.57 Mn (increased by 23.6 %), France US$ 160.68 Mn. (increased by 6.3 %) and Belgium US$ 139.3 Mn (increased by 6.56 %) during the cumulative period of January to June 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 July 2025 were estimated by the EDB
Policy & Strategic Planning Division - 22.08.2025
