October 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s apparel sector recorded a notable drop in export revenue during the first eight months of 2026, reflecting continued pressure on one of the country’s most important foreign exchange-generating industries.
Data published by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka show that apparel exports brought in US$434.8 million in August, down from US$469.6 million during the same month a year earlier. This represents a year-on-year contraction of approximately 7.4 per cent.
The weakness was also evident over the broader January-to-August period. Earnings from apparel exports totalled US$3.108 billion during the first eight months of 2026, compared with US$3.318 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025. The figures indicate a decline of around 6.3 per cent.
The wider textile and apparel category experienced an even sharper setback. Exports in this segment fell by 8.4 per cent in August, while cumulative earnings for the first eight months were 6.7 per cent lower than those recorded during the same period last year.
The latest figures suggest that Sri Lanka’s garment industry is navigating a difficult external environment, with weaker export performance weighing on a sector that has traditionally played a major role in generating foreign currency and supporting employment.
With apparel accounting for a substantial share of the country’s merchandise exports, sustained weakness in overseas demand could place further pressure on manufacturers and exporters as the year progresses.
