Sri Lanka Exports Grow 5.8% to USD 15.78 B in First Eleven Months
Sri Lanka’s export sector sustained its upward trajectory in 2025, with total earnings from goods and services rising 5.8% year-on-year to USD 15.78 billion during the first eleven months, underscoring a steady recovery in external trade despite uneven global demand conditions.
Data compiled from Sri Lanka Customs, along with official estimates for services, gems and jewellery, and petroleum products, show that exports reached USD 15,776.36 million from January to November 2025. The performance reflects broad-based growth across several sectors, supported by improved market access, stronger demand in key destinations and continued efforts to enhance export competitiveness.
In November alone, total exports amounted to USD 1.36 billion, recording a 5.56% increase compared with November 2024. Merchandise exports rose by 5.95% year-on-year to USD 1.05 billion, while services exports grew by 4.27% to USD 311.3 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of services in Sri Lanka’s export mix.
Commenting on the performance, Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe said, the results demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of Sri Lanka’s export sector. He noted that export earnings by the end of November had already reached more than 86% of the annual target, signalling strong momentum heading into the final month of the year. According to Wijesinghe, the growth was supported by recovery in key international markets, sustained production capacity and the effective implementation of export development strategies focused on diversification and value addition.
Coconut-based products emerged as one of the strongest-performing sectors in November, with export earnings surging 47.25% year-on-year. Within the sector, coconut kernel products rose by 57.45%, coconut fibre products by 27.76% and coconut shell products by 42.14%, reflecting robust global demand and improved value addition. Exports of coconut oil, coconut milk powder, coconut cream and liquid coconut milk recorded particularly sharp increases, underlining the sector’s growing contribution to export earnings.
Food and beverages exports also posted solid growth, rising 24.83% year-on-year in November to USD 45.3 million, driven mainly by higher shipments of processed food. Electrical and electronic components expanded strongly, with export earnings increasing by 38.37% to USD 48.54 million. Diamonds, gems and jewellery recorded a notable rebound, with estimated export earnings rising nearly 35% to USD 37.56 million during the month.
Services exports continued to support overall growth. Earnings from logistics and transport services increased by 12.48% year-on-year in November, reflecting higher trade and shipping activity. ICT and business process management (BPM) exports remained broadly stable at USD 129.15 million, while officials said, the wider services sector continues to diversify Sri Lanka’s export portfolio and generate high-value employment.
However, performance across sectors was uneven. Apparel and textiles exports declined by 2.12% year-on-year in November to USD 388.78 million, while tea exports fell by 5.4% to USD 111.77 million. The decline in tea earnings was largely attributed to weaker performance in bulk tea and tea packet exports. Spices and essential oils also recorded a contraction, driven mainly by a sharp drop in pepper exports, particularly to India. Ornamental fish exports fell more than 31% year-on-year.
On a cumulative basis, merchandise exports during the January – November period increased by 6.41% to USD 12.42 billion, while services exports grew by 3.62% to USD 3.36 billion. Apparel and textiles exports for the eleven-month period rose by nearly 5% to USD 4.83 billion, supported by stronger demand from the European Union, while tea exports increased by 7.44% to USD 1.4 billion, aided by higher shipments of value-added tea packets.
By market, the United States remained Sri Lanka’s largest export destination, accounting for about 23% of merchandise exports. Exports to the US rose nearly 4% year-on-year in November and almost 3% during the January – November period. India consolidated its position as the second-largest export market, with exports jumping 25.77% in November and nearly 20% over the eleven months, driven by higher shipments of animal feed and petroleum-related products.
Exports to the European Union also performed strongly, increasing by more than 14% during the January – November period, led by growth in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
Overall, officials said the data point to sustained progress in Sri Lanka’s external sector, with diversification into higher-value products and services helping to offset weakness in some traditional exports, even as global economic conditions remain challenging
