Categories: Articles

LNP – Apparels, textiles boost August exports income

August merchandise exports income tops US$ 1.2bn
Apparel & textile exports up 15% to US$ 565mn
Jan-Aug. cumulative exports up 12% to US$ 8.85bn
Cumulative apparel & textile up 19% to US$ 4.08bn

Sri Lanka recorded its highest merchandise export income so far for this year in the month of August amid increased export earnings from textile & apparel exports, the data released by the Export Development Board showed.
August became the fourth consecutive month to report over one billion dollars of export income as the month saw a merchandise export income of US$ 1.21 billion, up 10 percent from the same month in 2021.

Apparel & textile exports nearly accounted for half of the export income in August, as such exports generated US$ 565.37 million, up 15.03 percent from a year ago.
Tea exports also rose 6.52 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US$ 124.41 million, while rubber-based exports rose 8.11 percent YoY to US$ 99.83 million.

Diamond, gems and jewellery exports also rose 95.23 percent YoY to US$ 45.24 million in August.
Seafood exports in August rose 37.04 percent YoY to US$ 25.53 percent and spice and essential oil exports edged up by 0.8 percent YoY to US$ 40.11 million.
However, petroleum products exports fell 10.07 percent YoY to US$ 114.84 million while coconut-based products exports also fell 3.71 percent YoY to US$ 71.21 million.

Meanwhile, for the January-August 2022 period, apparel and textile imports increased 19.30 percent YoY to US$ 4.08 billion.
However, both tea and rubber cumulative export income for the period fell 7.16 percent and 0.46 percent to US$ 819.31 million and US$ 705.70 million respectively.

Diamond, gems and jewellery exports rose 37.67 percent to US$ 234.83 million.
During the January-August period the United States (US) emerged as the biggest export destination for Sri Lanka accounting for little over US$ 2.3 billion out of the cumulative export income of US$ 8.85 billion for the period, up 12.01 percent YoY.

The United Kingdom (UK) and India were the second and third biggest buyers of Lankan produce.
In terms of regions, the United States and the European Union (EU), excluding the UK, emerged as the top buyers of Lankan produce.

Sri Lanka benefits from trade concessions from the US, EU and the UK. During January-August 2022 period, exports to Sri Lanka’s free trade agreement (FTA) partners accounted for 7.2 percent of total merchandise exports to US$ 623.17 million, up by 10.11 percent.

Although exports to India increased by 12.77 percent YoY US$ 570.46 million, exports to Pakistan decreased by 12.28 percent YoY to US$ 60.08 million during the period under consideration. Meanwhile, the estimated value of services exports for the period of January-August 2022 was US$ 1.31 billion, up 5.58 percent YoY. The services exports estimated by EDB consist of ICT/BPM, construction, financial services and transport & logistics.

Tyronne Jayamanne

View Comments

Recent Posts

LNP – Australia coach declares Maxwell in frame for Sri Lanka Tests

Newly re-signed Australia coach Andrew McDonald has declared veteran allrounder Glenn Maxwell “100 per cent”…

7 hours ago

LNP – Rice prices average above rate stipulated by Govt

Despite the government regulating prices for Nadu rice at Rs. 220, prices have averaged Rs.235…

7 hours ago

LNP – Sri Lanka makes $503 million in debt service payments in first half 2024

The external debt of the government as of end of June 2024 amounted to USD…

8 hours ago

LNP – Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya appointed Chief Advisor to President on Digital Economy

Former Axiata Group CEO Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya has been appointed as the Chief Advisor to…

8 hours ago

LNP – Online appointment system for new passports to be launched soon

The Department of Immigration and Emigration says that an online appointment system is being prepared…

8 hours ago

LNP – Another jeep suspected to belong to Lohan Ratwatte seized

The Theldeniya police seized a suspicious jeep with a forged number plate, allegedly used by…

1 day ago