Sri Lanka’s total exports recorded a year-on-year growth of 5.04% during the first nine months of 2026, reaching US$ 13.61 billion compared with US$ 12.96 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, reflecting continued growth in both merchandise and services exports.

According to the latest export performance figures released by Sri Lanka Customs, together with estimates by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) for gems and jewellery and petroleum products, merchandise exports increased by 5.35% to US$ 10.76 billion during January–September 2026, up from US$ 10.22 billion a year earlier.

Meanwhile, services exports grew by 3.88% to US$ 2.85 billion, compared with US$ 2.74 billion recorded during the same period in 2025.

September Exports Surge 17.23% Year-on-Year

Sri Lanka recorded a strong export performance in September 2026, with total exports reaching US$ 1.69 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 17.23% compared with US$ 1.44 billion in September 2025.

Merchandise exports were the primary driver of this monthly growth, increasing by 21.66% to US$ 1.39 billion from US$ 1.14 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year.

Services exports also registered growth, rising by 0.67% to US$ 306.17 million, compared with US$ 304.14 million in September 2025.

The substantial increase in merchandise exports contributed significantly to the overall improvement in export earnings, reinforcing the positive momentum in Sri Lanka’s export sector.

Export Growth Supports National Targets for 2030

The export performance recorded during the first nine months of 2026 marks continued progress in strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in international markets and increasing the contribution of exports to the national economy.

Maintaining this momentum will require sustained efforts to diversify export products and markets, enhance value addition, improve product quality and standards, and strengthen the competitiveness of Sri Lankan exporters.

The National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026–2030 sets an ambitious target of achieving US$ 36 billion in annual export earnings by 2030. The plan provides a strategic framework for accelerating export growth through improved trade facilitation, market development, investment promotion, innovation and stronger private-sector engagement.

Continued collaboration among government institutions, industry stakeholders and exporters will be crucial to sustaining growth, addressing emerging challenges and achieving the country’s long-term export development objectives.

EDB Chief Highlights Competitiveness and Market Diversification

Commenting on the export performance in September 2026, Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, said the growth in export earnings during the first nine months of the year reflected the resilience and continued progress of the country’s export sector.

“Sri Lanka’s total exports reaching US$ 13.61 billion during the first nine months of 2026, representing a growth of 5.04% compared with the corresponding period of 2025, reflects the continued resilience and progress of our export sector. Particularly encouraging is the strong performance recorded in September, when total exports increased by 17.23% year-on-year to US$ 1.69 billion, driven by a significant 21.66% growth in merchandise exports. This performance demonstrates the potential of Sri Lankan exporters to strengthen their presence in international markets despite an increasingly competitive global trading environment,” he said.

Wijesinghe emphasised that sustaining this growth would require strengthening existing export sectors while accelerating the development of new products, services and markets.

“As we move forward, our priority must be to sustain this growth momentum by strengthening the competitiveness of existing export sectors while accelerating the development of new products, services and markets. Enhancing value addition, promoting innovation and technology adoption, diversifying export markets, and integrating more deeply into global value chains will be essential to expanding export earnings and generating greater economic value for the country,” he said.

He added that the EDB remained committed to working closely with exporters, industry associations and relevant government institutions to address emerging challenges, improve the trade and investment environment, and facilitate greater access to international markets.

“Through the effective implementation of the National Export Development Plan 2026–2030 and strengthened collaboration among all stakeholders, we aim to build on these positive results, achieve sustainable export growth, and advance Sri Lanka towards its long-term ambition of reaching US$ 36 billion in annual export earnings by 2030,” Wijesinghe said.