Sri Lanka’s total export earnings increased to US$13.61 billion during the first nine months of 2026, marking a 5.04% growth compared to the US$12.96 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB).
The growth was driven by positive performances in both merchandise and services exports.
According to the latest data from Sri Lanka Customs and the EDB, merchandise export earnings grew by 5.35% from January to September 2026, reaching US$10.76 billion.
Meanwhile, services export earnings increased by 3.88% year-on-year to US$2.85 billion.
In September 2026 alone, Sri Lanka’s total export earnings reached US$1.69 billion, recording a significant 17.23% increase compared to September 2025.
Merchandise exports rose by 21.66% to US$1.39 billion, while services exports grew by 0.67% to US$306.17 million during the month.
Apparel and textiles remained the country’s leading export sector, generating US$3,783.76 million during the first nine months of the year.
Other major contributors included transport and logistics services, which earned US$1,502.39 million, information technology services at US$1,240.67 million, petroleum products at US$1,096.41 million, and tea exports at US$1,083.58 million.
The United States, India and the United Kingdom continued to be Sri Lanka’s leading export destinations.
Commenting on the performance, EDB Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mangala Wijesinghe said surpassing the US$13 billion mark in export earnings during the first nine months of the year was a significant milestone for the country’s export sector.
He further emphasised that the government’s long-term objective is to increase annual export earnings to US$36 billion by 2030 through the effective implementation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2026–2030.
