Export data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka show that the country's garment export earnings in August 2026 were $434.8 million, down $34.8 million from $469.6 million in August 2025, a year-on-year decline of 7.4%. From January to August this year, cumulative garment export earnings were $3,108.3 million, below the $3,318.1 million recorded in the same period of 2025, a decrease of about $209.8 million, or roughly 6.3%.

Key points

  • Sri Lanka's garment export earnings in August 2026 were $434.8 million, down 7.4% year on year (August 2025: $469.6 million).
  • Cumulative garment exports from January to August 2026 were $3,108.3 million, down about 6.3% from $3,318.1 million in the same period of 2025.
  • Overall textile and garment exports fell 8.4% in August, a steeper decline than the 7.4% drop in garments alone; the overall decline for the first eight months was 6.7%.

On the broader textile and garment measure, the decline was larger. Overall textile and garment export earnings fell 8.4% year on year in August, exceeding the 7.4% drop for garments alone; the cumulative decline for January to August was 6.7%, also larger than the 6.3% fall in garment exports.

The central bank data indicate that the contraction in garment export earnings was not confined to August alone. The 7.4% monthly decline and the roughly 6.3% cumulative drop over the first eight months both show that export earnings in the period remained persistently below year-earlier levels.

Garments are a major component of Sri Lanka's export earnings and an important source of foreign exchange for the country. The latest data reflect that the sector was in a broad downturn during the first eight months of 2026, with both garment exports and overall textile and garment earnings below the same period a year earlier.

The figures released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka are the latest basis for assessing the performance of the country's garment export sector in 2026.

Source: Sri Lanka Garment Export Earnings Fall 7.4% in August · Originally published on 2026-10-05