Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday, 26 August 2025 03:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka’s export sector continues to show strong resilience, recording $ 9.99 billion in total exports during the first seven months of 2025, a 7.79% year-on-year (YoY) growth, alongside the strongest performance recorded for the month of July.
The latest figures, released by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), underscore a steady upward trajectory in both merchandise and services exports, despite growing competitiveness and uncertainties in the global markets.
“This encouraging growth highlights Sri Lanka’s increasing integration into global trade and the success of our continued efforts to strengthen export competitiveness, while diversifying market opportunities. Our exporters have once again proven their resilience and adaptability in navigating dynamic global markets,” EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe said.
July 2025 marked a notable performance, with total exports, including both merchandise and services, climbing to over $ 1.64 billion, registering a significant 12.68% YoY increase. It is a 12.3% increase compared to June 2025, reflecting the challenges of Sri Lanka’s export sector and the impact of uncertainties in markets and enhanced competitiveness.
“It is encouraging to see exports surpassing $ 1.6 billion in July and reaching nearly $ 10 billion in the first seven months. This reflects the resilience of our exporters amidst global challenges. While we celebrate this progress, we remain cautious of uncertainties ahead. With continued efforts to enhance competitiveness and diversify markets, we are confident of achieving the 2025 export target,” Wijesinghe added.
This was the first time that July recorded the highest revenue during the month and the highest cumulative during the first seven months.
Merchandise exports for July 2025 reached over $ 1.3 billion—a 15.37% YoY increase, including estimated earnings from key sectors such as gems and jewellery and petroleum products.
During the period from January to July, merchandise exports for the first seven months of 2025 amounted to over $ 7.79 billion, reflecting a 7.22% growth compared to the same period last year.
Services exports in July 2025 are estimated at $ 337.11 million, up 3.36% YoY. During the first seven months of 2025, services exports reached an estimated $ 2.19 billion—a robust 9.86% increase over the same period in 2024.
The services sector, which includes ICT/BPM, construction, financial services, and transport and logistics, has not only bolstered export earnings but also contributed to the creation of high-value employment opportunities across the country.
As per the data shared by the EDB, apparel and textile exports saw a robust 8.18% YoY increase between January and July of 2025, reaching over $ 3.08 billion.
Agriculture exports also witnessed a remarkable growth during the first seven months. Tea exports, which comprised 12% of total merchandise exports, rose by 8.92% YoY to $ 884.09 million, whilst coconut-based exports increased by 37.34% YoY to $ 660.61 million, and spices and concentrates exports grew by 10.51% YoY to $ 245.36 million.
On the services side, transport and logistics and ICT/BPM showed positive growth during the first seven months, up by 21.24% YoY to $ 1.19 billion and 7.23% YoY to $ 897.49 million, respectively.
Wijesinghe also noted that efforts in market and product diversification are yielding positive results, with exports growth visible in key markets such as India, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, and African countries.
He expressed confidence that the EDB is on track to meet its ambitious export revenue target of $ 19 billion for 2025, aiming for steady growth in both merchandise and services exports within the remaining seven months of the year.
Merchandise exports are projected to climb from $ 12.7 billion in 2024 to $ 14 billion in 2025, while services exports are expected to rise from $ 3.5 billion to $ 4.2 billion by the end of the year.
The EDB’s targets also align with a broader five-year strategy to boost total export earnings to $ 36 billion by 2030, with $ 25 billion from shipment of goods and $ 11 billion from services exports.
