The merchandise export performance in January 2024 amounted to US$ 970.7 million, recorded a 0.77 % decline compared to January 2023.
Compared to January 2023, agricultural exports shown a modest increase of 3.58%, reaching US$ 225.43 million in January 2024. However, industrial exports experienced a decline of 2.08% during the same period, dropping to US$ 744.77 million.
Table 1: Comparison of Product-wise Merchandise Export Performance
Values in US$ Mns
| Exports of Goods | January 2023 | January 2024 | % Growth (23-24) |
| Apparel & Textile | 423.13 | 380.10 | -10.17 |
| Tea | 99.56 | 102.18 | 2.63 |
| Rubber-based | 75.89 | 81.72 | 7.68 |
| Coconut-based | 48.22 | 56.29 | 16.74 |
| Diamond, Gems & Jewelery | 46.51 | 32.98 | -29.09 |
| Electronics & Electronic Components | 38.27 | 31.24 | -18.37 |
| Spices and Concentrates | 34.48 | 29.33 | -14.94 |
| Processed Food & Beverages | 32.39 | 33.87 | 4.57 |
| Seafood | 20.94 | 23.02 | 9.93 |
| Ornamental Fish | 2.20 | 2.21 | 0.45 |
| Vegetables | 2.49 | 2.00 | -19.68 |
| Fruits | 3.23 | 3.44 | 6.50 |
| Other Export Crops | 2.14 | 4.11 | 92.06 |
| Flowers & Foliage | 1.16 | 1.17 | 0.86 |
| Boat Building | 0.07 | 0.06 | -14.29 |
| Petroleum Products | 77.84 | 21.45 | -72.44 |
| Others | 69.68 | 165.53 | 137.56 |
| Total Merchandize Exports | 978.20 | 970.70 | -0.77 |
Sources: CBSL, SL Customs
Table 2: Comparison of Merchandise Export Performance of Top 15 Export Destinations
Values in US$ Mns
|
| Destination | January 2023 | January 2024 | % Growth (23-24) |
| 1 | United States | 254.78 | 220.48 | -13.46 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 77.42 | 67.52 | -12.79 |
| 3 | India | 69.58 | 56.93 | -18.18 |
| 4 | Italy | 46.21 | 49.57 | 7.27 |
| 5 | Germany | 48.12 | 49.34 | 2.54 |
| 6 | United Arab Emirates | 71.35 | 29.84 | -58.18 |
| 7 | Netherlands | 26.55 | 26.02 | -2.00 |
| 8 | France | 17.89 | 17.16 | -4.08 |
| 9 | Canada | 19.57 | 30.45 | 55.60 |
| 10 | China | 19.35 | 18.41 | -4.86 |
| 11 | Australia | 17.81 | 19.75 | 10.89 |
| 12 | Belgium | 19.57 | 15.72 | -19.67 |
| 13 | Turkey | 16.02 | 11.46 | -28.46 |
| 14 | Japan | 15.37 | 12.91 | -16.01 |
| 15 | Switzerland | 15.14 | 13.40 | -11.49 |
|
| Others | 243.47 | 331.74 | 36.25 |
|
| Total | 978.20 | 970.70 | -0.77 |
Sources: CBSL, SL Customs
Table 3: Comparison of Region wise Merchandise Export Performance
Values in US$ Mns
| Region | January 2023 | January 2024 | % Growth (23-24) |
| United States | 254.78 | 220.48 | -13.46 |
| European Union (EU) excluding UK | 202.23 | 195.33 | -3.41 |
| South Asia | 96.51 | 92.95 | -3.69 |
| ASEAN | 121.46 | 81.38 | -33.00 |
| CIS Countries | 33.08 | 17.94 | -45.77 |
| African Countries | 27.49 | 24.95 | -9.24 |
| Middle East Countries (excl. Cyprus & Egypt) | 21.21 | 19.09 | -10.00 |
| Others | 221.44 | 318.58 | 43.87 |
| Total Merchandise Exports | 978.20 | 970.70 | -0.77 |