Sri Lanka’s exports surged past $1.3 billion mark in January this year.
The merchandise export performance in January 2025 which amounted to US$ 1,004.82 million, recorded an 3.51% increase compared to January 2024 as per the data released by the Sri Lanka Customs.
Compared to January 2024, agricultural exports shown a increase of 14.87%, reaching US$ 258.93 million in January 2025. In addition, industrial exports experienced an increase of 0.08% during January, increasing to US$ 745.89 million.
The estimated value of services exports for January 2025 was US$ 329.37 million, increasing 37.87% over the corresponding period in 2024.
Consequently, total exports for January 2025, including merchandise and services, were recorded as US$ 1,334.19 million. Among the top 15 export markets of Sri Lanka, United States, India, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, China, Belgium, Switzerland, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have shown positive growth in January 2025 compared to January 2024. The United States remained Sri Lanka’s largest export destination, accounting for 23% of total merchandise exports. Exports to the United States increased by 18.01% year-on-year to reach US$ 260.18 mn in January 2025.
India emerged as Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market, with exports rising by 43.86% y-o-y to US$ 81.9 mn in January 2025.
Exports to the United Kingdom increased by17.82% to US$ 79.55 mn in January 2025 compared to the corresponding month in 2024.
Exports to FTA partners (India and Pakistan)
In January 2025, exports to India and Pakistan constituted 8.8% of the total merchandise exports, experienced a 42.35% increase, reaching US$ 88.3 mn, compared to January 2024. Exports to India increased by 43.86% US$ 81.9 mn in January 2025 while exports to Pakistan increased by 25.49% during January 2025 compared to January 2024.
The increase in exports to India was driven by higher exports of Pepper (117.5%) and positive performance of Pakistan was driven by increased exports of Other Base Metal Products and Article of stones.
Sri Lanka’s export performance in the regions
Exports to the European Union (EU) which accounts for 24% of Sri Lanka’s exports increased by 16.34% y-o-y to US$ 227.24 mn.
Exports to the top five EU markets were: Germany US$ 53.87 mn (an increase of 9.18%), Italy US$ 43.54 mn (decreased by 8.13%), Netherlands US$ 36.63 mn (increase – 40.78%), France US$ 22.16 mn. (increase – 29.14%) and Belgium US$ 19.64 mn (increase – 24.94%) during January 2025 in comparison to the corresponding month in 2024.
