Sri Lanka’s export sector has maintained strong resilience and steady growth during the first nine months of 2025, with total earnings reaching US$ 12,986.52 million, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Export Development Board (EDB).
In September 2025 alone, total exports — combining merchandise and services — amounted to US$ 1,469.75 million, reflecting a 12.33% year-on-year increase, underscoring the effectiveness of strategies to enhance global market access and competitiveness.
EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe stated that this performance reflects Sri Lanka’s deepening integration into global trade and the success of ongoing efforts to diversify markets and strengthen export competitiveness.
“Exceeding US$ 12.9 billion in cumulative export earnings by September 2025 demonstrates the strength and determination of our exporters. With over 72% of the annual target already achieved by the third quarter, we are confident of meeting our 2025 export goal,” he said.
Key Performance Highlights (January–September 2025)
- Total exports: US$ 12,986.52 million (+6.92%)
- Merchandise exports: US$ 10,240.52 million (+7.59%)
- Services exports: US$ 2,746.03 million (+4.49%)
September 2025 Breakdown
Merchandise Exports
- Total: US$ 1,163.66 million (+15.02%)
Top Performing Sectors:
- Apparel & Textiles: US$ 425.07 Mn (+1.53%)
- Tea: US$ 137.0 Mn (+17.06%) — driven by higher exports of tea packets, bulk tea, and instant tea.
- Tea exports to Iraq (+28.86%), Turkey (+122.6%), and Libya (+12.5%) showed notable growth.
- Coconut-based Products: +72.03% overall
- Coconut kernel products +100.34%
- Coconut fibre products +44.43%
- Coconut shell products +33.7%
- Food & Beverages: +50.11% (Processed food +71.97%)
- Seafood: +53.07% (Fresh fish +108.16%, Frozen fish +53.9%)
- Diamonds, Gems & Jewellery: +76.95% (US$ 43.53 Mn)
- Electrical & Electronic Components: +29.5% (US$ 36.39 Mn)
- ICT/BPM services: +27.05% (US$ 157.76 Mn)
Sectors with Decline:
- Rubber products: -6.55% (US$ 74.29 Mn)
- Spices & Essential Oils: -10.18%, mainly due to lower pepper exports to India (-60.2%)
- Logistics & Transport Services: -14.95%
Cumulative Growth by Sector (Jan–Sep 2025)
- Apparel & Textiles: US$ 4,011.66 Mn (+6.22%)
- Exports to US (+2.03%), UK (+2.47%), EU (+14.08%)
- Tea: US$ 1,163.05 Mn (+9.8%)
- Coconut Products: US$ 909.09 Mn (+41.83%)
- Spices & Essential Oils: US$ 329.84 Mn (+2.41%) — driven by Cinnamon (+21.83%) and Cloves (+172.82%)
- Food & Beverages: US$ 435.31 Mn (+24.75%)
- Seafood: US$ 184.56 Mn (+2.89%)
- Electrical & Electronic Components: US$ 315.96 Mn (+1.77%)
- ICT/BPM Services: US$ 1,201.2 Mn (+9.27%)
- Logistics & Transport: US$ 1,403.0 Mn (+6.67%)
Sectors with Decline (Jan–Sep 2025):
- Rubber & Finished Products: US$ 713.62 Mn (-5.97%)
- Ornamental Fish: US$ 17.97 Mn (-3.96%)
Sectoral Insights
Sri Lanka’s tea and coconut industries continue to thrive, benefiting from increased demand in the Middle East and Asia, while ICT and BPM services have solidified their role as key contributors to export diversification.
The EDB noted that the agri-industrial, seafood, and electronic components sectors also displayed strong potential for value-added growth.
Overall, the 2025 performance indicates that Sri Lanka’s export strategy — focused on innovation, market diversification, and knowledge-based growth — is positioning the country on a more sustainable export-led development path.
