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Sri Lanka’s export sector continued its strong upward trajectory during the first half of 2026, with the country’s total exports surpassing the significant US$9 billion milestone.
According to the latest figures, Sri Lanka’s combined merchandise and services exports reached an estimated US$9,012.24 million during the January to June 2026 period, recording an 8% increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
Further analysis showed that cumulative merchandise export earnings for the first six months of the year amounted to US$7,073.31 million, representing an 8.95% year-on-year increase. The performance highlights steady growth across key export sectors and underscores the continued competitiveness of Sri Lankan products in international markets.
Meanwhile, the services export sector maintained its positive growth trend, generating an estimated US$1,938.94 million during the January-June 2026 period. This marked a 4.49% increase compared to the same period last year and further reinforced the sector’s growing contribution to Sri Lanka’s overall export earnings and external sector performance.
Provisional data released by Sri Lanka Customs, together with estimated export values for Gems and Jewellery as well as Petroleum Products, indicated that merchandise exports reached US$1,314.10 million in June 2026 alone. This represented a robust 15.09% increase compared to June 2025, demonstrating growing demand for Sri Lankan exports despite evolving global market conditions.