Sri Lanka’s apparel exports saw a marginal decline of 0.63% in May 2025 compared to the same period last year, with total earnings for the month recorded at US$356.08 million, according to the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAFSL).
The industry body attributed the slight drop to weakened demand in key Western markets.
Exports to the United States fell by 7.59%, while shipments to the United Kingdom declined by 6.81%, reflecting continued volatility in Western consumer spending.
However, JAAFSL noted that export performance to other regions showed resilience.
Apparel shipments to Europe rose by 5.15%, while exports to non-traditional markets grew by 11.1%, helping to cushion the overall impact.
Despite the May dip, the industry reported a strong performance in the first five months of the year.
Total apparel export earnings rose by 9.8% from January to May 2025, amounting to US$2.02 billion, indicating continued long-term growth in the sector.
JAAFSL emphasised the importance of market diversification and sustainable trade policies to mitigate demand fluctuations in key export destinations.
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