Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports recorded strong growth in April 2026 despite mixed performances across major international markets, with exports to China, France, Australia, Mexico and Japan showing notable gains.
According to the latest export performance data, Sri Lanka’s total merchandise exports increased by 9.87% year-on-year to US$ 1.06 billion in April 2026, while cumulative exports for the January–April 2026 period rose by 4.8% to US$ 4.52 billion.
The United States remained Sri Lanka’s largest export destination, accounting for around 22% of total merchandise exports. Exports to the US increased by 3.15% year-on-year in April 2026 to US$ 196.37 million. However, cumulative exports to the US for the first four months of the year declined by 2.09% to US$ 945.76 million compared to the same period in 2025.
India overtook the United Kingdom to become Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination during the January–April 2026 period, with exports increasing by 8.9% to US$ 364.15 million. However, exports to India in April alone recorded a marginal decline of 1.41%.
Exports to the United Kingdom saw a significant decline, falling by 15.18% in April 2026 to US$ 62.40 million, while cumulative exports for the January–April period also dropped by 7.96%.
Among other key markets, exports to China surged by 24.5% during the January–April period and by 24.11% in April alone. Mexico recorded the highest cumulative growth among major markets at 35.62%, while exports to Japan rose by 16.2%.
Meanwhile, exports to the United Arab Emirates declined sharply by 33.69% in April and by 16.24% cumulatively during the first four months of the year.
The report attributed part of the decline in exports to the UAE to evolving geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Gulf region, which have impacted trade flows and market stability. (Newswire)