Export Development Board, Sri Lanka
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OVERVIEW
India has surpassed the United Kingdom to emerge as Sri Lanka's second-largest export
destination in January-April 2026, according to Sri Lanka's Export Development Board. The United States continues to remain Sri Lanka's largest export market.
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- India now Sri Lanka's 2nd largest export destination ✅
- Surpassed: United Kingdom
- Period: January-April 2026
- Sri Lanka exports to India grew 8.9% to USD 364.15 million
- However India-bound exports fell marginally 1.41% in April 2026
- Sri Lanka total exports April 2026: USD 1,380.93 million (+6% YoY)
- Merchandise exports: USD 1,063.77 mn (+9.87% year on year)
- Services exports: USD 317.16 million
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CUMULATIVE TRADE DATA
(January-April 2026)
- Total Sri Lanka exports: USD 5,784.38 million
- Growth: +4.3% over same period 2025
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TOP PERFORMING SECTORS
✅ Coconut-based products:
Strong performance in April 2026
Export earnings surged 23.49% YoY
✅ Activated carbon:
(Coconut shell-based product)
Jumped 58.32% to USD 20.55 million
✅ IT & Business Process Management:
Exports reached USD 146.09 million
✅ Financial services exports:
Expanded 119.41% to USD 6.82 million
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SECTORS UNDER PRESSURE
❌ Apparel & Textiles:
Declined 4.88% YoY to
USD 346.67 million in April 2026
Reasons:
• 2.71% reduction in US shipments
• 9.21% contraction in EU exports
• 16.08% decline in UK exports
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WHY THIS MATTERS FOR INDIA
🇮🇳 INDIA'S GROWING INFLUENCE:
India becoming key export destination
for neighboring countries shows:
✅ Growing Indian middle class demand
✅ Rising purchasing power in India
✅ India-Sri Lanka trade ties strengthening
✅ ISFTA (India-Sri Lanka FTA) benefits
📦 OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIAN IMPORTERS:
Sri Lanka's key export products to India:
- Coconut-based products
- Activated carbon
- Spices (cinnamon, pepper)
- Rubber products
- Apparel & textiles
🤝 BILATERAL TRADE CONTEXT:
- India-Sri Lanka FTA in operation
- India is Sri Lanka's largest
import source country
- Strong people-to-people ties
- India providing economic support
to Sri Lanka since 2022 crisis
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SOURCE:
PTI | Press Trust of India
Export Development Board, Sri Lanka India Shipping News
May 28, 2026