Sri Lanka’s export earnings rose 5.04% year-on-year to US$13.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, supported by stronger merchandise exports and continued growth in services, although apparel and tea remained under pressure.

According to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), merchandise exports increased 5.35% to US$10.76 billion during January–September, while services exports grew 3.88% to US$2.85 billion.

Export performance strengthened considerably in September, with total earnings rising 17.23% to US$1.69 billion. Merchandise exports surged 21.66% to US$1.39 billion, while services exports edged up 0.67% to US$306.17 million.

Electrical and electronic components, spices, rubber products and processed food were among the strongest performers, reflecting growing opportunities in value-added manufacturing and diversified exports.

Electrical and electronic component exports surged 61.05% to US$508.86 million during the nine-month period, driven by increased shipments of insulated wires and cables, transformers and other electrical products. Rubber and rubber-based exports rose 8.44% to US$773.88 million, while spices, essential oils and oleoresins increased 30.53% to US$430.53 million.

Food and beverage exports grew 20.9% to US$526.31 million, with processed food earnings rising 34.19%. Coconut-based exports also expanded 3.68% to US$942.5 million, supported by stronger demand for fibre-based and shell-based products.

However, apparel and textile exports declined 5.68% to US$3.78 billion, reflecting weaker demand in major markets. Exports to the United States fell 3.83%, while shipments to the European Union and the United Kingdom declined 5.54% and 10.41%, respectively.

Tea exports also contracted, falling 6.83% to US$1.08 billion amid weaker demand in the Middle East. Seafood exports declined 2.03% to US$180.81 million.

The United States remained Sri Lanka’s largest merchandise export destination, accounting for approximately 20.3% of merchandise exports. Earnings from the market reached US$2.25 billion during January–September, up marginally by 0.05%, although September exports rose 18.06% to US$281.84 million.

India strengthened its position as the second-largest destination, overtaking the United Kingdom, with exports increasing 12.3% to US$889.84 million. Exports to Turkey recorded particularly strong growth of 94.01% to US$218.24 million, while shipments to China rose 16.46% to US$234.39 million.

Exports to the European Union, which accounted for around 20.12% of merchandise exports, declined marginally by 0.15% over the nine-month period.

EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe said the performance demonstrated the resilience of Sri Lanka’s export sector despite an increasingly competitive global trading environment.

He emphasised the need to strengthen existing industries, develop new products and markets, increase value addition and promote innovation and technology adoption to sustain growth.

The National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 targets annual export earnings of US$36 billion by 2030. Achieving this goal will require stronger export competitiveness, wider market access and deeper integration into global value chains, alongside sustained growth in both goods and services exports.