Sri Lanka’s garment exports achieved an 8.9% year-on-year increase, reaching approximately $2.4 billion during the January–June 2025 period, marking a strong performance amid global market volatility.

The export surge underscores the resilience of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, which continues to maintain a crucial role in the country’s industrial export mix. Apparel exports accounted for more than half of Sri Lanka’s total industrial export earnings during this timeframe.

Notably, June sustained the positive momentum with continued growth in garment shipments, even as the broader textile segment — encompassing fabrics and other related products — experienced a decline. This trend signals that while upstream raw material and intermediary textile output may be facing headwinds, the garment manufacturing and export engines remain robust and competitive.

Meanwhile, domestic demand for clothing and fashion accessories also rose sharply over the first half of the year, pointing to a revitalised local textiles market alongside export growth.

Sri Lankan apparel exporters have effectively leveraged longstanding trade relationships, quality manufacturing capabilities, and flexible production to navigate ongoing global challenges such as shifting supply chains and fluctuating demand.

As the industry looks ahead to the remainder of 2025, sustaining this growth may hinge on bolstering fabric production, ensuring domestic supply chain stability, and capitalising on emerging opportunities in global apparel markets.