Sri Lanka’s export sector has shown strong resilience and steady growth in the first four months of 2025, with total exports reaching US$ 5,583.25 million—a 6.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth highlights the sector’s adaptability amid evolving global trade conditions and renewed momentum in key industries.
In April 2025 alone, total exports—covering both merchandise and services—amounted to US$ 1,292.63 million, marking an 8.74% year-on-year growth. The steady performance is credited to strategic market diversification and efforts to boost export competitiveness.
Chairman and CEO of the Export Development Board (EDB), Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, welcomed the positive results, stating,
“This encouraging growth highlights Sri Lanka’s increasing integration into global trade and the success of our continued efforts to strengthen export competitiveness and expand market access. Our exporters have once again proven their resilience and adaptability in navigating dynamic global markets.”
Merchandise Exports Show Double-Digit Growth
According to provisional data from Sri Lanka Customs, merchandise exports in April 2025 rose by 12.05% year-on-year to US$ 983.33 million. From January to April, merchandise exports totaled US$ 4,334.22 million, recording a 6.86% increase compared to the same period last year.
Key contributors included apparel and textiles, tea, coconut-based products, spices, food & beverages, and boat building.
Apparel & Textiles earned US$ 364.47 million in April, a 13.52% increase compared to April 2024.
- Tea exports rose 12.45% to US$ 107.34 million, accounting for 12% of total merchandise exports. Notably, tea packet exports surged by 27.6%, with major gains in markets such as Iraq (+46.7%), Libya (+292.3%), and Iran (+115.96%).
- Coconut-based product exports grew by 21.54%, led by:
- Coconut kernel products (+36.23%) such as Coconut Oil (+64.86%) and Coconut Milk Powder (+107.43%)
- Coconut fiber products (+49.66%), with Coco Peat and Fiber Pith earning US$ 15.89 million (+3.32%)
- Coconut shell products (+22.35%), including Activated Carbon exports valued at US$ 12.98 million (+14.36%)
- Spices and Essential Oils saw a 32.83% increase to US$ 23.95 million, driven by strong performances in Pepper (+185.77%) and Cloves (+106.98%).
- Food & Beverages exports rose by 34.53% to US$ 43.52 million, boosted by a 77.52% surge in processed food exports.
- Ornamental fish exports increased by 12.27% to US$ 3.11 million.
- Boat building sector earnings hit US$ 15.05 million, largely due to a major shipment worth US$ 13.37 million to Norway.
Services Exports Maintain Upward Momentum
Services exports also played a key role in driving overall growth. In April 2025, estimated earnings from services exports reached US$ 309.3 million. Over the first four months of the year, services exports increased by 7.06%, totaling US$ 1,189.63 million.
The services sector—which includes ICT/BPM, construction, financial services, and transport & logistics—continues to diversify Sri Lanka’s export portfolio and contribute to high-value job creation. Transport and logistics services alone are estimated to have increased by 12.66% in April 2025 to US$ 147.65 million.
Lankasara
