Export Earnings Surge 12.3% Despite Global Challenges

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s exporters have demonstrated remarkable resilience amid global challenges, according to Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman of the Export Development Board (EDB).

Addressing a media briefing at the Department of Government Information today, he revealed that the country’s export sector recorded a total income of USD 12,986.52 million by the end of the third quarter of 2025.

September Performance: Total export earnings reached USD 1,469 million, marking a 12.33% increase compared to the same period last year.

Merchandise Exports: Grew to USD 1,163 million, reflecting a 15% year-on-year growth.

Services Exports: Increased to USD 306 million, with notable contributions from the ICT sector.

Top Performing Sectors: Tea, coconut-based products, electrical and electronic goods, gems and jewelry, food and beverages, seafood, and fruits and vegetables showed significant growth in September.

Wijesinghe emphasized that despite challenges such as tariff issues and geopolitical tensions, exporters’ efforts and government initiatives—such as market diversification and policy reforms—have driven this positive trend.

The EDB aims to increase Sri Lanka’s export revenue to USD 36 billion within the next five years, supported by the National Export Development Plan, which is now in its final stages. 

For 2025, the goal is an 8–10% growth rate, with current progress already near 7%.