According to the latest data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, from January to August 2026, the country's garment exports amounted to $3.3 billion, down slightly year-on-year from $3.4 billion in the same period of 2025.

Key Points

  • From January to August 2026, Sri Lanka's garment exports fell to $3.3 billion, down year-on-year.
  • Over the same period, textile exports decreased to about $300 million, while exports of other made-up textile articles dropped by more than 20%.
  • Textiles and garments together account for more than 60% of Sri Lanka's total industrial exports.

According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka's "External Sector Performance – August 2026" report, in the first 8 months of this year, textile exports fell to about $300 million, and exports of other made-up textile articles amounted to about $15 million, a decline of more than 20%. Combined, total textile product exports came to about $3.6 billion.

In terms of overall industrial exports, Sri Lanka's total industrial exports during the same period were about $6 billion, with textiles, garments and other made-up textile articles together accounting for more than 60%, remaining the country's largest pillar of industrial exports.

On the import side, the report showed that Sri Lanka's imports of textiles and textile articles declined year-on-year from January to August, to about $2.2 billion.

Despite continued volatility in global demand, the garment industry's dominant position in Sri Lanka's industrial exports remains unchanged. For participants in the used-clothing trade and textile supply chain who rely on South Asian production capacity, this pattern means that Sri Lanka's export rhythm and changes in import demand as a garment supply source will continue to affect the flow and price expectations of regional yarn, fabrics and second-hand clothing.

Source: Sri Lanka's garment exports dip to $3.3 bn in Jan-Aug · Originally published on 2026-10-04