Apparel exports up 9% in July says JAAF

Wednesday, 27 August 2025 00:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) yesterday said Sri Lanka’s apparel exports recorded steady growth in July 2025, increasing 9.84% to $ 455.16 million compared with $ 414.38 million a year ago.

Exports to the EU (excluding the UK) posted the strongest gain of 26.69%, while shipments to “other” markets grew by 24.24%. The UK market saw only a marginal increase of 0.72%, and exports to the US declined by 2.7% during the month.

For the cumulative period of January to July 2025, total apparel exports reached $ 2,916.10 million, up 9.09% from $ 2,673.19 million in the same period of 2024. Growth was broad-based across markets, with exports to the EU (excluding the UK) rising by 18.2%, to “Other” markets by 11.02%, to the UK by 5.65%, and to the USA by 2.91%.

Commenting on the performance, a spokesperson for the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said: “The growth seen in July and over the first seven months of 2025 highlights the adaptability of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry and its firm position in key markets such as the EU. This performance reflects manufacturers’ ongoing efforts to meet buyer expectations on speed, quality, and compliance. Sustaining momentum will require expanded trade opportunities, supportive policies, and a stronger focus on value addition across the supply chain.”