Sri Lanka’s export sector has shown strong resilience and consistent growth during the first nine months of 2025, recording total earnings of US$ 12,986.52 million, according to the Export Development Board (EDB).
This marks a 7% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2024, highlighting a steady recovery in both merchandise and services exports.
In September 2025 alone, total exports — including merchandise and services — reached US$ 1,469.75 million, representing a 12.33% year-on-year growth compared to September 2024.
Merchandise exports rose by 15.02% to US$ 1,163.66 million, based on provisional data from Sri Lanka Customs, which also included estimates for Gems & Jewellery and Petroleum Products.
From January to September 2025, merchandise exports totalled US$ 10,240.52 million, reflecting a 7.59% increase compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, services exports were estimated at US$ 306.09 million in September 2025.
Among the top 10 export destinations, countries such as India, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, UAE, Canada, France, and China recorded year-on-year growth both in September and during the cumulative nine-month period.
The United States, Sri Lanka’s largest single export destination, accounted for 23% of total merchandise exports. Exports to the U.S. decreased 2.84% to US$ 238.72 million in September 2025 compared to the same month last year, but rose 3.04% over the nine-month period to US$ 2,251.85 million.
India maintained its position as Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market, overtaking the United Kingdom. Exports to India surged 31.7% to US$ 87.33 million in September 2025, while cumulative exports for the first nine months of the year rose 23.09% compared to 2024, the EDB reported.
