Sri Lanka’s exports rise 5% to US$13.6 billion in first nine months

Sri Lanka’s export earnings increased 5.04% year-on-year to US$13.61 billion during the first nine months of 2026, supported by growth in both merchandise and services exports, according to the Export Development Board (EDB).

Total exports rose from US$12.96 billion during the corresponding period last year.

Merchandise exports increased 5.35% to US$10.76 billion, while services exports grew 3.88% to US$2.85 billion.

September recorded particularly strong growth, with total exports rising 17.23% year-on-year to US$1.69 billion. Merchandise exports increased 21.66% to US$1.39 billion, while services exports edged up 0.67% to US$306.17 million.

Electrical and electronic components were among the strongest-performing sectors during the January–September period, with export earnings rising 61.05% to US$508.86 million.

Exports of spices, essential oils and oleoresins increased 30.53% to US$430.53 million, while food and beverage exports grew 20.90% to US$526.31 million.

Rubber and rubber-based products generated US$773.88 million, up 8.44%, while coconut-based exports increased 3.68% to US$942.5 million.

ICT and business process management exports rose 3.69% to an estimated US$1.24 billion.

However, apparel and textile exports declined 5.68% to US$3.78 billion, while tea exports fell 6.83% to US$1.08 billion. Seafood exports also contracted by 2.03%.

The United States remained Sri Lanka’s largest merchandise export market, accounting for about 20.3% of the total.

India overtook the United Kingdom to become the second-largest export destination, with exports to India rising 12.3% to US$889.84 million.

EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe said sustaining export growth would require stronger competitiveness, greater value addition, innovation, technology adoption and market diversification.

Sri Lanka’s National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 targets annual export earnings of US$36 billion by 2030.