Sri Lanka Exports top US$ 1.3 billion in January 2025
- CNL Reporter
- February 26, 2025
- News
- Sri Lanka Exports top US$ 1.3 billion in January 2025
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Sri Lanka’s export sector kicked off 2025 on a positive note, with total exports crossing US$ 1.3 billion in January, marking a 7.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase, data from the Export Development Board (EDB) showed.
Merchandise exports rose 3.5 percent to US$ 1 billion, led by a 15 percent surge in agricultural shipments to US$ 258.9 million, while industrial exports remained largely flat, inching up 0.08 percent to US$ 745.9 million. Services exports jumped 37.9 percent YoY to US$ 329.4 million.
Apparel and textiles, Sri Lanka’s largest export category, saw a sharp 21.1 percent increase, bringing in US$ 460.2 million. Tea exports, which made up 12 percent of total merchandise shipments, rose 2.6 percent YoY to US$ 112.7 million, buoyed by a 29.8 percent jump in packaged tea sales. Strong demand for coconut-based products also contributed with coconut oil, cream, and fiber shipments recording gains.
Among agriculture exports, spices and essential oils saw a robust 32.9 percent increase to US$ 39 million, largely due to higher pepper and clove shipments to India and Saudi Arabia. Diamonds, gems, and jewelry also performed well, rising 28.2 percent to US$ 42.3 million, benefiting from improved demand in the US and European markets.
