The Export Improvement Board (EDB) says exports of attire and textiles, in addition to tea, declined throughout the first seven months of this 12 months in comparison with the identical interval in 2025.
The decline has been attributed to the affect of the continued struggle within the Center East area.
Though income from attire and textile exports totaled practically USD 3,080 million between January and July 2025, it declined to USD 2,879 million throughout the first seven months of this 12 months.
Equally, though USD 884 million was earned from tea exports between January and July in 2025, this had declined to USD 817 million throughout the first seven months of this 12 months.
EDB Chairman and Chief Government Officer, Mangala Wijesinghe, stated that, for the primary time within the nation’s export sector, export income of USD 10,437 million was recorded throughout the seven months from January to July this 12 months.
He made these remarks at a media briefing held yesterday (Aug. 31) on the Authorities Info Division to temporary the media on the efficiency of the export sector in July.
The Chairman stated export income of USD 1,637 million was generated in July, comprising USD 1,285 million from merchandise exports and USD 351 million from service exports.
He stated that throughout the first seven months of this 12 months, merchandise export income stood at USD 8,188 million, whereas service export income stood at USD 2,199 million.
Moreover, the Chairman stated that, when it comes to the nation’s export sector, notable progress was recorded throughout the first seven months of this 12 months in coconut-based merchandise, the rubber trade, processed meals and drinks, electrical and digital tools, gems and jewelry, and spices.
He additionally stated that, within the providers sector, notable progress was proven in Info Know-how (IT) and transport providers.
The Chairman additional stated, “In comparison with final 12 months (2025), tea-related exports have proven a decline in progress throughout the first seven months of this 12 months. The difficulties confronted by tea exporters as a result of prevailing struggle state of affairs within the Center East area have contributed to this. 35% of complete tea exports are despatched to the Center East-related area. Following the problems which have arisen within the export sector in that area since final February, some decline has been recorded in tea-related merchandise. Equally, attire export progress has additionally proven a decline in comparison with the primary seven months of final 12 months (2025). Because of the prevailing struggle state of affairs within the Center East area and the ensuing decline in demand for the attire and textile sector within the world market, a sure decline within the nation’s attire export income is being noticed. This case isn’t restricted to Sri Lanka; the attire industries in international locations equivalent to India and Bangladesh have additionally proven some decline in exports throughout the previous seven months. Some progress within the attire export sector could also be seen within the interval forward.”
