January apparel exports up 22% YoY

Sri Lanka’s apparel exports grew 22.18 percent year-on-year (YoY) in January 2025, reaching US$ 437 million from US$ 357 million a year earlier.

Exports to key markets saw strong growth, with shipments to the US expanding 27.43 percent YoY to US$ 169 million. Exports to the European Union and the UK climbed 26.37 percent and 17.39 percent, respectively, to US$ 129 million and US$ 61 million. Exports to other regions also expanded by 9.57 percent YoY to US$ 76 million.

According to the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), exporters face challenges from low-cost competitors with better market access. Therefore the industry remains cautiously optimistic.

Sri Lanka’s apparel exports totalled approximately US$ 4.75 billion in 2024, up from US$ 4.5 billion in 2023. The sector is expected to be a major contributor to the country’s 2025 export target of US$ 18.2 billion, with a revenue goal of US$ 5.2 billion as set by the government.

Source: Daily Mirror