Bhathiya Barukanda
Sri Lanka’s export sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience and steady progress during the first four months of 2025, with total exports reaching $ 5.583 billion, marking a robust 6.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) said this upward trend reflects renewed momentum across key industries and underscores the sector’s adaptability in an evolving global trade landscape.
Total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached $ 1,292.63 million in April 2025. This marks an impressive year-on-year (YoY) growth of 8.74% over April 2024, reflecting the resilience of Sri Lanka’s export sector and the positive impact of strategic efforts to diversify markets and enhance competitiveness.
Commenting on the positive export performance, EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe said: “This encouraging growth highlights Sri Lanka’s increasing integration into global trade and the success of our continued efforts to strengthen export competitiveness and expand market access. Our exporters have once again proven their resilience and adaptability in navigating dynamic global markets.”
In April 2025 alone, merchandise exports grew by 12.05% YoY, reaching $ 983.33 million, according to provisional data of Sri Lanka Customs, including the estimates for Gems and Jewellery and Petroleum Products. For the period January to April 2025, merchandise exports totalled $ 4,334.22 million, reflecting a 6.86% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Meanwhile, services exports have emerged as a key driver of overall export growth. In April 2025, estimated earnings from services exports reached $ 309.3 million. Over the first four months of the year, services exports are estimated to have increased by 7.06%, totalling $ 1,189.63 million. This trend highlights the rising importance of Sri Lanka’s knowledge-based economy and its growing contribution to national export earnings.
The services export sector, comprising ICT/BPM, Construction, Financial services, and Transport and Logistics, continues to diversify Sri Lanka’s export portfolio and create high-value employment opportunities across the island.
Export earnings from Apparel and Textile increased by 13.52 % YoY to $ 364.47 million in April 2025 compared to April 2024.
Export earnings from tea, which made up 12% of merchandise exports, increased by 12.45% YoY to $ 107.34 million in April 2025 compared to April 2024. This increase is mainly due to the strong performance in the export of Tea Packets (27.6 %).
In addition, the volume of tea exports increased by 11.17 % in April 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Notably, tea exports to Iraq, Libya, and Iran recorded significant increases of 46.7 %, 292.3%, and 115.96 %, respectively.
A monthly analysis revealed that export earnings from Coconut-Based Products saw a significant increase of 21.54% in April 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Notably, earnings from Coconut Kernel Products increased by 36.23%, Coconut Fibre Products by 49.66%, and Coconut Shell Products by 22.35%, reflecting strong global demand and improved value addition across the sector.
Export earnings from Coconut Oil, Coconut Milk Powder, Coconut Cream, and Liquid Coconut Milk, which are categorised under Coconut Kernel Products, increased by 64.86%, 107.43%, 57.5%, and 18.3%, respectively in April 2025 compared to April 2024.
Being the largest contributor to the Coconut-based sector, Coco Peat, Fibre Pith, and Moulded products, which are categorised under Coconut Fibre Products, increased by 3.32% to $ 15.89 million in April 2025 in comparison to April 2024.
Earnings from Activated Carbon, which is categorised under Coconut Shell Products, increased by 14.36% to $ 12.98 million in April 2025 compared to April 2024.
Similarly, export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils increased by 32.83% to $ 23.95 million in the month of April 2025 compared to the month of April 2024, mainly due to the strong performance in export of Pepper (185.77%) and Cloves (106.98%).
Export earnings from Food and Beverages have increased by 34.53 % YoY to $ 43.52 million in April 2025, with the positive performance in exports of Processed Food (77.52%).
Furthermore, export earnings from Ornamental Fish increased by 12.27% to $ 3.11 million in April 2025 compared to April 2024.
Export earnings from the Boat Building sector reached $ 15.05 million in April 2025, driven largely by a significant shipment valued at $ 13.37 million to Norway. This reflects the sector’s growing international demand and Sri Lanka’s capabilities in specialised manufacturing.
Furthermore, the estimated value of Logistics and Transport services is expected to increase by 12.66% to $ 147.65 million in April 2025 when compared to April 2024.
Export earnings from Rubber and Rubber Finished products have decreased by 8.16% YoY to $ 61.15 million in April 2025, with the poor performance in exports of Pneumatic and Retreated Rubber Tyres and Tubes (-17.28%).
In addition, export earnings from the Electrical and Electronics Components decreased by 0.1% YoY to $ 30.75 million in April 2025, with notable declines in the exports of Insulated Wires and Cables (-2.56%), Printed Circuits (-23.53%), and Other Electrical and Electronic Products (-22.79%).
Export earnings from Seafood decreased by 0.34 % to $ 26.7 million in April 2025 compared to April 2024. This decrease was mainly due to the negative performance in export of Frozen Fish (-6.65%) and Shrimps (-34.34%).
Cumulative total exports, including both merchandise and services, were estimated at $ 5,523.85 million for the period January to April 2025, making a notable 6.9% growth compared to the same period in 2024.
Merchandise exports during the first four months of 2025 are estimated to increase by 6.86%, reaching $ 4,334.22 million, based on data from Sri Lanka Customs along with the estimated figures for Gems and Jewellery and Petroleum Products.
Earnings from export of Apparel, Tea, Coconut Products, Spices and Concentrates, and Food and Beverages increased by 11.59%, 6.23%, 25.3%, 63.44%, and 14.65%, respectively, during the period of first four months of 2025 in comparison to the corresponding period of 2024.
Earnings from export of Apparel and Textile have increased by 11.59% to $ 1,497.91 million during the period of January to April 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, exports to the US and UK increased by 10.25% and 6.41%, amounting to $ 621.84 million and $ 250.48 million, respectively.
Earnings from export of Tea increased YoY by 6.23% to $ 478.29 million in the period January to March 2025. This increase was mainly due to the strong performance in export of Tea Packets (18.57 %).
Export earnings of Coconut and Coconut-based products increased by 25.3% to $ 331.3 million during the first four months of 2025 compared to the last year. Earnings from all the major categories of Coconut-based products increased in the period of January to April 2025 compared with the corresponding period of 2024 due to the strong performance in export of Coconut Oil (60.05%), Desiccated Coconut (6.8%), Coconut Milk Powder (88.64%), Coconut Cream (51.7%), Liquid Coconut Milk (21.72%), Cocopeat (20.01%) and Activated Carbon (13.03%).
In addition, export earnings from Spices and Essential Oils increased YoY by 63.44 % to $ 142.98 milliom in the period of first four months of 2025. This increase was due to the strong performance in exports of Pepper (224.59%), Cinnamon (16.11%), and Cloves (353.77%).
Export earnings from Food and Beverages have increased by 14.65% YoY to $ 181.98 million in the first four months of 2025, with the positive performance in exports of Processed Food (36.26 %).
Furthermore, the estimated value of ICT/BPM exports is expected to increase by 4.91% to $ 492.71 million during the period of January to April 2025 when compared to the corresponding period of 2024.
In addition, the estimated value of Logistics and Transport services is expected to increase by 20.69% to $ 648.71 million during the period of January to April 2025 when compared to the corresponding period of 2024.
Export earnings from Rubber and Rubber finished products decreased by 6.74 % to $ 312.43 million in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, attributed to decreased exports of Pneumatic and Retreated Rubber Tyres and Tubes (-22.47%).
Further, export earnings from Seafood decreased by 17.34% to $ 74.96 million during the first four months of 2025 compared to the year 2024, due to the negative performance in Fresh Fish (-33.83%) and Shrimps (-69.14%).
Earnings from exports of Electrical and Electronic Components (EEC) decreased by 6.29% to $ 129.26 million in the first four months of 2025 compared to the corresponding period of 2024. This decrease was due to the poor performance in exports of Insulated Wires and Cables (-13.72%) and Printed Circuits (-77.88%).
