Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports decreased by 16.15 % to US$ 814.1 Million in April 2023 compared to April 2022. Moreover, it is a 0.5 % decrease when compared to April 2021.
Declining trend in merchandise exports further continues due to the negative trends shown in major export products. i.e., Apparel & Textiles, Rubber & Rubber based products and Coconut & Coconut based products.
Monthly Merchandise Export Performance 2020- April, 2023
Comparison of Product-wise Merchandise Export Performance
Values in US$ Mns
| Exports of Goods | Jan-Apr 2022 | Jan-Apr 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | Apr 2022 | Apr 2023 | % Growth (22-23) |
| Apparel & Textile | 1,917.94 | 1,612.24 | -15.94 | 445.78 | 342.81 | -23.10 |
| Tea | 367.21 | 407.66 | 11.02 | 80.44 | 93.39 | 16.10 |
| Rubber-based | 337.57 | 299.02 | -11.42 | 71.28 | 55.40 | -22.28 |
| Coconut-based | 279.43 | 214.19 | -23.35 | 70.72 | 51.61 | -27.02 |
| Diamond, Gems & Jewelery | 98.20 | 125.24 | 27.54 | 25.49 | 25.25 | -0.94 |
| Electronics & Electronic Components | 146.73 | 166.81 | 13.68 | 34.45 | 40.01 | 16.14 |
| Spices and Concentrates | 107.11 | 122.62 | 14.48 | 21.52 | 21.08 | -2.04 |
| Processed Food & Beverages | 132.46 | 130.28 | -1.65 | 30.92 | 30.08 | -2.72 |
| Seafood | 88.95 | 91.50 | 2.87 | 21.23 | 24.86 | 17.10 |
| Ornamental Fish | 5.83 | 8.70 | 49.23 | 1.03 | 2.12 | 105.83 |
| Vegetables | 7.99 | 9.69 | 21.28 | 1.75 | 2.27 | 29.71 |
| Fruits | 10.51 | 13.89 | 32.16 | 2.66 | 3.45 | 29.70 |
| Other Export Crops | 23.27 | 14.03 | -39.71 | 8.28 | 6.79 | -18.00 |
| Flowers & Foliage | 4.93 | 5.01 | 1.62 | 0.95 | 1.20 | 26.32 |
| Boat Building | 5.10 | 11.83 | 131.96 | 0.34 | 10.80 | 3076.47 |
| Petroleum Products | 65.06 | 140.36 | 115.74 | 4.30 | 13.64 | 217.21 |
| Others | 626.79 | 438.76 | -30.00 | 149.76 | 89.34 | -40.34 |
| Total Merchandize Exports | 4,225.08 | 3,811.83 | -9.78 | 970.9 | 814.1 | -16.15 |
Sources: CBSL, SL Customs
Comparison of Merchandise Export Performance of Top 15 Export Destinations
Values in US$ Mns
| Destination | Jan-Apr 2022 | Jan-Apr 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | Apr 2022 | Apr 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | |
| 1 | United States | 1,097.66 | 914.90 | -16.65 | 249.02 | 193.20 | -22.42 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 333.40 | 285.74 | -14.30 | 84.14 | 61.44 | -26.98 |
| 3 | India | 282.48 | 267.44 | -5.32 | 59.47 | 58.88 | -0.99 |
| 4 | Germany | 247.35 | 193.72 | -21.68 | 66.53 | 39.56 | -40.54 |
| 5 | Italy | 192.42 | 197.35 | 2.56 | 42.57 | 38.91 | -8.60 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 130.40 | 106.30 | -18.48 | 27.71 | 22.67 | -18.19 |
| 7 | Canada | 116.06 | 103.27 | -11.02 | 28.68 | 21.72 | -24.27 |
| 8 | UAE | 89.19 | 137.10 | 53.72 | 15.00 | 16.43 | 9.53 |
| 9 | Belgium | 95.03 | 72.65 | -23.55 | 25.93 | 16.98 | -34.52 |
| 10 | France | 83.74 | 79.82 | -4.68 | 18.84 | 22.52 | 19.53 |
| 11 | Australia | 78.03 | 73.72 | -5.52 | 19.18 | 17.33 | -9.65 |
| 12 | China | 79.32 | 79.76 | 0.55 | 14.72 | 18.75 | 27.38 |
| 13 | Japan | 62.18 | 60.81 | -2.20 | 15.48 | 14.54 | -6.07 |
| 14 | Bangladesh | 79.54 | 68.57 | -13.79 | 14.69 | 13.09 | -10.89 |
| 15 | Mexico | 56.69 | 56.76 | 0.12 | 10.40 | 12.61 | 21.25 |
| Others | 1,201.59 | 1,113.92 | -7.30 | 278.54 | 245.47 | -11.87 | |
| Total | 4,225.08 | 3,811.83 | -9.78 | 970.9 | 814.1 | -16.15 |
Sources: CBSL, SL Customs
Comparison of Region wise Merchandise Export Performance
Values in US$ Mns
| Region | Jan-Apr 2022 | Jan-Apr 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | Apr 2022 | Apr 2023 | % Growth (22-23) |
| United States | 1,097.66 | 914.90 | -16.65 | 249.02 | 193.20 | -22.42 |
| European Union (EU) excluding UK | 956.94 | 835.07 | -12.74 | 230.91 | 180.24 | -21.94 |
| South Asia | 425.28 | 392.38 | -7.74 | 86.95 | 83.66 | -3.78 |
| ASEAN | 282.45 | 333.66 | 18.13 | 56.25 | 59.58 | 5.92 |
| CIS Countries | 104.11 | 115.63 | 11.07 | 18.64 | 24.87 | 33.42 |
| African Countries | 94.49 | 106.23 | 12.42 | 23.74 | 20.44 | -13.90 |
| Middle East Countries (excl. Cyprus & Egypt) | 67.13 | 81.06 | 20.75 | 11.77 | 20.19 | 71.54 |
| Others | 1,197.02 | 1,032.90 | -13.71 | 293.62 | 231.92 | -21.01 |
| Total Merchandise Exports | 4,225.08 | 3,811.83 | -9.78 | 970.90 | 814.10 | -16.15 |
Export of Services
The estimated value of services exports for the period of January to April 2023 was US$ 723.68 Million, increasing 9.56 % over the corresponding period of 2022. The services exports estimated by EDB consists of ICT/BPM, Construction, Financial services and Transport & Logistics.