Sri Lanka's Q1 2026 Exports See Modest Growth Amidst Sectoral Declines

Sri Lanka's export sector demonstrated overall growth in the first quarter of 2026, with total earnings reaching US$ 4,308.11 million from January to March. This represents a 1.59% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025, according to provisional data from Sri Lanka Customs. However, March 2026 saw a 5.2% year-on-year decline in overall export income, totaling US$ 1,467 million for both goods and services, a downturn attributed to the ongoing Middle East conflict by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB). Despite this, March earnings marked a 9% increase over February 2026 figures, with merchandise exports contributing US$ 1,180 million and service exports US$ 286 million. Conversely, specific sectors experienced setbacks in Q1 2026, with apparel and textiles declining to approximately US$ 1,272 million from US$ 1,383 million in Q1 2025, and tea exports falling to US$ 351 million from US$ 370 million.