Sri Lanka’s total exports reached USD 14.94 Bn in 2023

Sri Lanka’s total exports reached US$ 14.94 Bn in 2023 including merchandise exports (US$ 11.85Bn) and estimated service exports (US$ 3.08 Bn). It is only a 0.39 % decline when compared to the value recorded in the previous year ( US$ 14.99 Bn). The estimated increase in service exports is around 63%. 

Sri Lanka's Export Performance in December 2023

Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports decreased by 11.25% to US$ 947.5 Million in December 2023 compared to December 2022 as per the provisional data released by Sri Lanka Customs. Also, it is a 5.16 % decrease when compared to the value recorded in November 2023.

However, the exports of Apparel and Textile recorded the highest in the year in December 2023 showing a positive sign of regaining its momentum. 

Figure 1 shows the comparison of Monthly Merchandise Export Performance 2020 –2023.

Figure 1: Monthly Merchandise Export Performance 2020 –2023

Sources: CBSL, SL Customs

Table 1: Comparison of Product-wise Merchandise Export Performance 

                           Values in US$ Mns

Exports of Goods Jan-Dec 2022 Jan-Dec 2023 % Growth (22-23) Dec 2022 Dec 2023 % Growth (22-23)
Apparel & Textile 5,933.52  4,864.53  -18.02 480.28 438.78 -8.64
Tea 1,258.81 1,309.90 4.06 107.29 111.12 3.57
Rubber-based 1,018.40 930.24 -8.66 74.47 79.62 6.92
Coconut-based 817.09 708.70 -13.27 54.86 55.97 2.02
Diamond, Gems & Jewelery 399.77 388.16 -2.90 30.75 17.88 -41.85
Electronics & Electronic   Components 483.65 486.66 0.62 42.94 34.97 -18.56
Spices and Concentrates 370.30 397.78 7.42 31.39 31.42 0.10
Processed Food & Beverages 426.39 427.97 0.37 34.84 29.21 -16.16
Seafood 269.02 262.24 -2.52 21.31 23.79 11.64
Ornamental Fish 21.74 26.38 21.34 2.13 2.03 -4.69
Vegetables 27.80 29.19 5.00 2.34 2.58 10.26
Fruits 38.78 43.26 11.55 4.00 3.42 -14.50
Other Export Crops 92.42 91.30 -1.21 2.79 3.04 8.96
Flowers & Foliage 14.66 15.01 2.39 1.16 1.28 10.34
Boat Building 17.40 78.50 351.15 0.19 0.76 300.00
Petroleum Products 283.23 372.04 31.36 30.32 13.49 -55.51
Others 1,633.42 1,424.44 -12.79 146.54 98.14 -33.03
Total Merchandize Exports 13,106.40    11,856.3  -9.54 1,067.6  947.5 -11.25

Sources: CBSL, SL Customs

Table 2: Comparison of Merchandise Export Performance of Top 15 Export Destinations 

Values in US$ Mns


Destination Jan-Dec 2022 Jan-Dec 2023 % Growth (22-23) Dec 2022 Dec 2023 % Growth (22-23)
1 United States 3,319.85 2,758.57 -16.91 256.20 253.74 -0.96
2 United Kingdom 966.04 846.16 -12.41 79.12 72.33 -8.58
3 India 854.88 829.70 -2.95 64.97 53.70 -17.35
4 Germany 744.57 587.40 -21.11 59.84 57.61 -3.73
5 Italy 640.18 679.05 6.07 50.36 47.01 -6.65
6 Netherlands 428.27 343.47 -19.80 40.61 37.01 -8.86
7 Canada 361.44 293.21 -18.88 24.07 24.24 0.71
8 UAE 345.82 357.09 3.26 30.67 27.95 -8.87
9 Belgium 307.68 221.45 -28.03 20.83 16.21 -22.18
10 France 257.52 304.95 18.42 15.80 19.50 23.42
11 Australia 254.40 226.51 -10.96 20.92 18.74 -10.42
12 China 253.11 257.73 1.83 20.84 19.69 -5.52
13 Japan 226.30 188.76 -16.59 19.36 14.58 -24.69
14 Bangladesh 217.54 173.87 -20.07 23.46 11.91 -49.23
15 Mexico 190.30 182.77 -3.96 14.37 17.97 25.05

Others 3,738.50 3,605.61 -3.55 326.18 255.31 -21.73

Total  13,106.40 11,856.30 -9.54 1,067.60 947.5 -11.25

Sources: CBSL, SL Customs

Table 3: Comparison of Region wise Merchandise Export Performance

Values in US$ Mns

Region Jan-Dec 2022 Jan-Dec 2023 % Growth (22-23) Dec 2022 Dec 2023 % Growth (22-23)
United States 3,319.85 2,758.57 -16.91 256.20 253.74 -0.96
European Union (EU) excluding UK 3,038.59 2,711.93 -10.75 239.25 226.05 -5.52
South Asia 1,261.36 1,192.75 -5.44 103.33 79.48 -23.08
ASEAN 998.34 995.00 -0.33 92.74 72.53 -21.79
CIS Countries 301.91 324.79 7.58 22.86 25.98 13.65
African Countries 374.13 327.95 -12.34 44.40 23.19 -47.77
Middle East Countries (excl. Cyprus & Egypt) 248.85 239.87 -3.61 19.53 18.24 -6.61
Others 3,563.37 3,305.44 -7.24 289.29 248.29 -14.17
Total Merchandise Exports 13,106.40 11,856.30 -9.54 1,067.60 947.5 -11.25

Export of Services

The estimated value of services exports for the period of January to December 2023 was US$ 3,080.9 Mn, increasing 63.1 % over the corresponding period in 2022. The services exports estimated by EDB consists of ICT/BPM, Construction, Financial services and Transport & Logistics.

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