As per the latest statistics released by the Sri Lanka Customs, the export sector performance has been able to maintain its upward trend in June 2021 with exports increasing by 9.41 % to US$ 978.2 Mn compared to June 2020. This upward trend was evident year-on-year for the last four months.
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports in the first half of the year 2021 was US$ 5,561.72 Million, an increase of 27.49% over US$ 4,362.34 Million in first half of the year 2020.
“Our appreciation goes to the exporters who are contributing their maximum to the economy, despite the severe third wave of covid19, amidst many restrictions and obstacles. The results are due to the sector specific interventions of all stakeholders and the Government, along with the commitment of our exporters” The Export Development Board (EDB) Chairman, Suresh D. de Mel opined.
Table 1: Merchandise Export Performance
Values in US$ Mns
| Exports of Goods | Jan-June 2019 | Jan-June 2020 | Jan- June 2021 | % Growth (20-21) | June 2020 | June 2021 | % Growth (20-21) |
| Apparel | 2,752.58 | 1,936.66 | 2,478.32 | 27.97 | 402.04 | 414.14 | 3.01 |
| Tea | 684.94 | 571.67 | 650.54 | 13.80 | 114.93 | 123.91 | 7.81 |
| Rubber-based products | 457.09 | 349.17 | 519.96 | 48.91 | 68.89 | 95.50 | 38.63 |
| Coconut-based products | 314.04 | 281.59 | 387.80 | 37.72 | 65.01 | 70.61 | 8.61 |
| Gems & Jewellery | 157.78 | 71.17 | 127.06 | 78.53 | 10.13 | 20.33 | 100.69 |
| Electrical & Electronic Components | 195.35 | 144.10 | 201.95 | 40.15 | 31.06 | 37.67 | 21.28 |
| Food & Beverages | 193.05 | 156.28 | 174.37 | 11.58 | 31.61 | 26.70 | -15.53 |
| Spices & Concentrates | 144.06 | 114.47 | 197.66 | 72.67 | 31.71 | 35.66 | 12.46 |
| Diamond, Gems & Jewelery | 157.80 | 71.17 | 127.37 | 78.97 | 10.13 | 20.33 | 100.69 |
| Seafood | 143.59 | 99.12 | 106.38 | 7.32 | 24.32 | 15.77 | -35.16 |
| Ornamental Fish | 8.01 | 6.38 | 6.70 | 5.02 | 1.98 | 0.77 | -61.11 |
| Vegetables | 15.93 | 12.85 | 10.97 | -14.63 | 3.17 | 1.41 | -55.52 |
| Fruits | 21.14 | 17.74 | 17.80 | 0.34 | 3.55 | 2.97 | -16.34 |
| Other Export Crops | 14.38 | 39.16 | 26.64 | -31.97 | 7.47 | 2.25 | -69.88 |
| Flowers & Foliage | 10.09 | 6.63 | 7.16 | 7.99 | 1.48 | 1.49 | 1.36 |
| Boat Building | 63.34 | 1.36 | 2.53 | 86.03 | 0.03 | 1.05 | 3400.00 |
| Petroleum Products | 165.56 | 170.65 | 64.43 | -62.24 | 29.64 | 13.31 | -55.09 |
| Others | 431.01 | 312.17 | 454.08 | 45.46 | 56.95 | 94.33 | 65.64 |
| Total Merchandize Exports | 5,929.74 | 4,362.34 | 5,561.72 | 27.49 | 894.1 | 978.2 | 9.41 |
Top 10 Export Destinations
| Country | Jan-June 2020 | Jan- June 2021 | % Growth (20-21) | June 2020 | June 2021 | % Growth (20-21) | |
| 1 | United States | 1,147.45 | 1,355.14 | 18.10 | 242.36 | 221.43 | -8.64 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 361.60 | 444.18 | 22.84 | 65.39 | 77.66 | 18.76 |
| 3 | India | 277.52 | 361.05 | 30.10 | 57.00 | 58.43 | 2.51 |
| 4 | Germany | 250.27 | 350.92 | 40.22 | 54.42 | 64.91 | 19.28 |
| 5 | Italy | 182.98 | 274.86 | 50.21 | 47.32 | 48.84 | 3.21 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 110.34 | 193.71 | 75.56 | 22.17 | 31.61 | 42.58 |
| 7 | Belgium | 122.57 | 159.55 | 30.17 | 28.22 | 27.36 | -3.05 |
| 8 | Canada | 88.30 | 142.07 | 60.89 | 16.38 | 27.09 | 65.38 |
| 9 | China | 89.36 | 140.68 | 57.43 | 18.15 | 23.72 | 30.69 |
| 10 | Australia | 72.39 | 117.47 | 62.27 | 16.73 | 20.45 | 22.24 |
| United States | 1,659.56 | 2,022.09 | 21.84 | 325.96 | 376.70 | 15.57 | |
| Total Merchandise Exports | 4,362.34 | 5,561.72 | 27.49 | 894.1 | 978.2 | 9.41 |
Export Regions
| Region | Jan-June 2020 | Jan- June 2021 | % Growth (20-21) | June 2020 | June 2021 | % Growth (20-21) |
| EU excluding UK | 948.78 | 1,385.38 | 46.02 | 206.83 | 249.39 | 20.58 |
| United States | 1,147.45 | 1,355.14 | 18.10 | 242.36 | 221.43 | -8.64 |
| South Asia | 422.68 | 550.98 | 30.35 | 89.55 | 95.10 | 6.20 |
| ASEAN Countries | 139.3 | 135.23 | -2.92 | 21.00 | 22.72 | 8.19 |
| CIS Countries | 128.05 | 127.02 | -0.80 | 25.09 | 24.45 | -2.55 |
| African Countries | 107.06 | 153.59 | 43.46 | 26.27 | 29.96 | 14.05 |
| Middle East Countries (Excl. Cyprus & Egypt) | 344.85 | 383.28 | 11.14 | 65.99 | 72.97 | 10.58 |
| Others | 1,124.17 | 1,471.10 | 30.86 | 217.01 | 262.18 | 20.81 |
| Total Merchandise Exports | 4,362.34 | 5,561.72 | 27.49 | 894.1 | 978.2 | 9.41 |
Export of Services
The services exports estimated by EDB which includes ICT/BPM, Construction, Financial services and Transport & Logistics show exports of US $ 1,587.75 Mn for the period of January to June 2021 compared to US$ 1,323.93 Mn recorded in the corresponding period of 2020. Estimated service exports increased by 19.92 % in the first half of the year 2021 compared to the corresponding period of 2020.