Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports decreased by 8.06 % to US$ 1,005.2 Million in February 2023 compared to February 2022 as per the data released by Sri Lanka Customs. However, it is a 5.62% increase when compared to February 2021.
Table 1: Merchandise Export Performance
Values in US$ Mns
| Exports of Goods | Jan-Feb 2022 | Jan-Feb 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | Feb 2022 | Feb 2023 | % Growth (22-23) |
| Apparel & Textile | 1,009.24 | 906.46 | -10.18 | 494.82 | 483.35 | -2.32 |
| Tea | 192.09 | 204.13 | 6.27 | 100.86 | 104.57 | 3.68 |
| Rubber-based | 180.29 | 152.45 | -15.44 | 93.17 | 76.58 | -17.81 |
| Coconut-based | 136.19 | 102.72 | -24.58 | 67.92 | 54.51 | -19.74 |
| Diamond, Gems & Jewelery | 44.55 | 69.09 | 55.08 | 19.46 | 22.58 | 16.03 |
| Electronics & Electronic Components | 73.77 | 81.29 | 10.19 | 37.82 | 43.01 | 13.72 |
| Spices and Concentrates | 62.12 | 68.98 | 11.04 | 27.15 | 34.48 | 27.00 |
| Processed Food & Beverages | 68.76 | 63.80 | -7.21 | 37.98 | 31.44 | -17.22 |
| Seafood | 45.29 | 40.94 | -9.60 | 21.17 | 19.99 | -5.57 |
| Ornamental Fish | 3.22 | 4.20 | 30.43 | 1.45 | 2.00 | 37.93 |
| Vegetables | 4.12 | 4.75 | 15.29 | 1.74 | 2.28 | 31.03 |
| Fruits | 5.26 | 6.56 | 24.71 | 2.13 | 3.32 | 55.87 |
| Other Export Crops | 9.20 | 4.68 | -49.13 | 3.86 | 2.54 | -34.20 |
| Flowers & Foliage | 2.59 | 2.49 | -3.86 | 1.36 | 1.34 | -1.47 |
| Boat Building | 0.31 | 2.23 | 0.40 | -82.06 | 2.05 | 0.33 |
| Petroleum Products | 50.98 | 102.26 | 100.59 | 16.96 | 24.42 | 43.99 |
| Others | 307.96 | 166.39 | -45.97 | 247.51 | 96.74 | -60.91 |
| Total Merchandize Exports | 2,195.94 | 1,983.42 | -9.68 | 1,093.3 | 1,005.2 | -8.06 |
Sources: CBSL, SL Customs
Table 2: Top 15 Export Destinations
Values in US$ Mns
| Destination | Jan-Feb 2022 | Jan-Feb 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | Feb 2022 | Feb 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | |
| 1 | United States | 587.50 | 485.83 | -17.31 | 292.25 | 231.06 | -20.94 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 162.88 | 146.25 | -10.21 | 81.72 | 68.83 | -15.77 |
| 3 | India | 148.97 | 139.72 | -6.21 | 77.25 | 70.13 | -9.22 |
| 4 | Germany | 120.90 | 98.61 | -18.44 | 60.70 | 50.49 | -16.82 |
| 5 | Italy | 102.91 | 100.28 | -2.56 | 53.21 | 54.07 | 1.62 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 71.75 | 54.10 | -24.60 | 33.06 | 27.55 | -16.67 |
| 7 | Canada | 57.50 | 54.79 | -4.71 | 27.69 | 35.23 | 27.23 |
| 8 | UAE | 44.72 | 98.95 | 121.27 | 20.84 | 27.60 | 32.44 |
| 9 | Belgium | 47.46 | 37.36 | -21.28 | 22.68 | 17.79 | -21.56 |
| 10 | France | 43.03 | 35.22 | -18.15 | 19.52 | 17.33 | -11.22 |
| 11 | Australia | 39.13 | 35.50 | -9.28 | 19.99 | 17.68 | -11.56 |
| 12 | China | 44.09 | 40.83 | -7.39 | 25.28 | 21.47 | -15.07 |
| 13 | Japan | 31.82 | 29.73 | -6.57 | 15.90 | 14.36 | -9.69 |
| 14 | Bangladesh | 50.06 | 33.31 | -33.46 | 16.03 | 19.36 | 20.77 |
| 15 | Mexico | 34.38 | 28.77 | -16.32 | 19.18 | 14.25 | -25.70 |
| Others | 608.84 | 564.17 | -7.34 | 308.00 | 318.00 | 3.25 | |
| Total | 2,195.94 | 1,983.42 | -9.68 | 1,093.30 | 1,005.20 | -8.06 |
Sources: CBSL, SL Customs
Table 3: Export Regions
Values in US$ Mns
| Region | Jan-Feb 2022 | Jan-Feb 2023 | % Growth (22-23) | Feb 2022 | Feb 2023 | % Growth (22-23) |
| United States | 587.50 | 485.83 | -17.31 | 292.25 | 231.06 | -20.94 |
| European Union (EU) excluding UK | 488.42 | 417.71 | -14.48 | 241.68 | 215.48 | -10.84 |
| South Asia | 232.64 | 253.65 | 9.03 | 109.78 | 157.13 | 43.13 |
| ASEAN | 144.22 | 198.91 | 37.92 | 69.73 | 77.45 | 11.07 |
| CIS Countries | 56.05 | 59.18 | 5.58 | 27.2 | 26.11 | -4.01 |
| African Countries | 49.79 | 55.91 | 12.29 | 25.24 | 28.42 | 12.60 |
| Middle East Countries (excl. Cyprus & Egypt) | 43.84 | 39.47 | -9.97 | 22.54 | 18.27 | -18.94 |
| Others | 593.48 | 472.76 | -20.34 | 304.88 | 251.28 | -17.58 |
| Total Merchandise Exports | 2,195.94 | 1,983.42 | -9.68 | 1,093.30 | 1,005.20 | -8.06 |