Exports Record US$ 15.8 Billion as Sri Lanka Maintains Upward Trade Momentum

Sri Lanka’s export sector has demonstrated robust growth, achieving a 5.8% year-on-year increase during the period from January to November 2025. According to Sri Lanka Customs statistics and estimated export data for Gems & Jewellery, Petroleum Products, and services, total exports reached US$ 15,776.36 million, reflecting sustained expansion and improved external trade conditions.

In November 2025 alone, total exports—including merchandise and services—amounted to US$ 1,364.52 million, marking a 5.56% increase over November 2024. This performance underscores the strength of Sri Lanka’s export sector and highlights the effectiveness of strategies aimed at expanding market access and boosting global competitiveness.

Mr. Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board (EDB), noted that export earnings for January–November 2025 reached US$ 15,776.36 million, representing strong year-on-year growth. He emphasized that this achievement demonstrates the resilience and competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s export sector, supported by the recovery of major markets, sustained production capacity, and the successful implementation of export development initiatives. Mr. Wijesinghe also highlighted that Sri Lanka achieved over 86.3% of its annual export target by the end of November 2025, reflecting the commitment and strength of the nation’s export community.

Merchandise exports in November 2025 recorded a 5.95% year-on-year increase, reaching US$ 1,053.22 million, according to provisional Customs data, including estimates for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products. For the January to November 2025 period, merchandise exports totaled US$ 12,417.98 million—a 6.41% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Service exports in November 2025 are estimated to have risen by 4.27% to US$ 311.3 million. Over the first eleven months of 2025, service exports increased by 3.63% to an estimated US$ 3,358.38 million. This trend reflects the growing contribution of Sri Lanka’s knowledge-based economy to national export earnings, particularly in sectors such as ICT/BPM, Construction, Financial Services, and Transport & Logistics.

Major Export Performers in November 2025

A detailed analysis of November 2025 reveals significant growth in several sectors:

• Coconut-based products saw a remarkable 47.25% increase compared to November 2024. Within this category, Coconut kernel products grew by 57.45%, Coconut fiber products by 27.76%, and Coconut shell products by 42.14%. Key items such as Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk Powder, Coconut Cream, and Liquid Coconut Milk experienced increases of 79.89%, 44.66%, 97.44%, and 49.72% respectively. Coco Peat, Fiber Pith & Moulded products rose by 22.01% to US$ 19.96 million, and Activated Carbon grew by 37.79% to US$ 18.96 million.
• Food & Beverage exports increased by 24.83% year-on-year to US$ 45.3 million, driven by strong performance in processed foods (24.1%).
• Diamonds, Gems & Jewellery exports are estimated to have risen by 34.73% to US$ 37.56 million.
• Electrical & Electronic Components exports grew by 38.37% to US$ 48.54 million.
• Seafood exports increased by 2.49% to US$ 16.89 million, mainly due to higher exports of frozen fish (16.4%).
• ICT/BPM export earnings are expected to see a marginal 0.13% increase to US$ 129.15 million.
• Logistics & Transport Services exports are estimated to have increased by 12.48% to US$ 174.36 million.

On the other hand, certain sectors experienced declines:

• Apparel & Textiles exports decreased by 2.12% year-on-year to US$ 388.78 million.
• Tea exports, accounting for 12.8% of merchandise exports, fell by 5.4% to US$ 111.77 million, mainly due to lower Bulk Tea (-11.72%) and Tea Packets (-4.52%) exports.
• Spices and Essential Oils declined by 9.21% to US$ 37.47 million, largely due to a significant drop in pepper exports to India (-50.57%).
• Ornamental fish exports fell by 31.28% to US$ 1.23 million.

Performance for January–November 2025

Cumulative exports of goods and services were estimated at US$ 15,776.36 million for January to November 2025, representing a 5.8% increase over the same period in 2024. Merchandise exports during this period grew by 6.41% to US$ 12,417.98 million, while services exports are estimated to have increased by 3.62% to US$ 3,358.35 million.

Products and services with notable growth during this period include:

• Apparel & Textiles: up 4.9% to US$ 4,829.62 million. Exports to the United States, United Kingdom, and EU region increased by 2.05%, 0.01%, and 12.84% respectively.
• Tea: up 7.44% to US$ 1,401.36 million, mainly due to strong Tea Packet exports (13.22%).
• Coconut & Coconut-based products: up 44.13% to US$ 1,136.92 million, with significant increases in Coconut Oil (81.41%), Desiccated Coconut (36.92%), Coconut Milk Powder (70.05%), Coconut Cream (92.83%), Liquid Coconut Milk (52.94%), Cocopeat (24.29%), and Activated Carbon (29.42%).
• Food & Beverages: up 24.89% to US$ 545.24 million, led by processed foods (42.96%).
• Seafood: up 1.87% to US$ 216.81 million, supported by frozen fish exports (17.93%).
• Electrical & Electronic Components: up 5.46% to US$ 403.26 million, due to gains in Insulated Wires (6.11%) and Electrical Transformers (7.44%).
• ICT/BPM: estimated to rise by 6.86% to US$ 1,442.74 million.
• Logistics & Transport Services: estimated to increase by 7.54% to US$ 1,760.65 million.

Conversely, some sectors saw declines:

• Rubber & Rubber finished products: down 5.60% to US$ 869.26 million, mainly due to reduced exports of Pneumatic & Retreated Rubber Tyres & Tubes (-13.58%).
• Spices and Essential Oils: up 2.16% to US$ 405.7 million overall, but with a notable decrease in pepper exports (-38.81%).
• Ornamental fish: down 7.47% to US$ 20.8 million.

Export Performance by Major Markets

Among the top 10 export destinations, the United States, India, Italy, Germany, United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, France, and China all recorded year-on-year growth in both November 2025 and the January–November 2025 period.

The United States, Sri Lanka’s largest export market, accounted for 23% of merchandise exports, with a 3.97% increase to US$ 236.2 million in November 2025. Cumulative exports to the US rose by 2.79% to US$ 2,734.24 million.

India remained Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination, surpassing the United Kingdom. Exports to India rose by 25.77% to US$ 88.43 million in November 2025 and by 19.88% to US$ 955.32 million during January–November 2025.

Exports to the United Kingdom declined by 8.28% to US$ 62.92 million in November 2025, but increased by 2.49% to US$ 855.01 million for January–November 2025.

Exports to FTA Partners: India and Pakistan

In November 2025, exports to India and Pakistan accounted for 7.86% of Sri Lanka’s total merchandise exports, increasing by 25.06% to US$ 94.23 million compared with November 2024. The rise was driven by higher shipments of Animal Feed to India and Desiccated Coconut to Pakistan.

During January–November 2025, exports to these countries made up 8.2% of total merchandise exports, growing by 18.21% to US$ 1,024.61 million. Exports to India increased by 19.88%, mainly due to Petroleum Oil, Animal Feed, and Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils, while exports to Pakistan decreased slightly by 0.83% owing to lower Desiccated Coconut shipments.

Regional Export Performance

Exports to the European Union (EU), which account for 24% of Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports, rose by 10.08% in November 2025 and by 14.06% during January–November 2025. Notable performance was seen in exports to Germany (up 13.33% to US$ 644.04 million), Italy (up 14.07% to US$ 628.33 million), Netherlands (up 21.31% to US$ 429.5 million), France (up 6.61% to US$ 258.51 million), and Belgium (up 6.81% to US$ 231.77 million) during the first eleven months of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year.

Overall, Sri Lanka’s export sector continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability, maintaining its upward momentum amid dynamic global trade conditions.