US demand lifts Sri Lanka apparel exports to 2026 monthly high

Sri Lanka's apparel and textile exports grew 7.96% n May 2026 to $394.14m, described arsenic a motion that request from cardinal markets is opening to "firm up aft a hard commencement to the year."

The US led the growth, with shipments rising 15.36% to $149.96m. This maturation successful US-bound exports comes arsenic Sri Lanka prepares for a captious signifier successful its commercialized narration with the US.

The state is progressive successful a Section 301 probe by the Office of the US Trade Representative concerning the prohibition of imports involving forced labour. The probe whitethorn effect successful an further tariff of either 10% oregon 12.5% connected affected goods.

According to a US authorities study published successful June, Sri Lanka is named among 46 countries acceptable to look the higher 12.5% tariff rate.

By contrast, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan and Indonesia were each listed for the little 10% tariff, having been recognised for actions taken implicit forced labour concerns.

A nationalist proceeding connected the tariff connection is scheduled for 7 July successful Washington, with Sri Lankan manufacture bodies capable to use for a proceeding slot until 22 June, making the adjacent coming weeks a captious model for Sri Lanka to marque its case.

"May's numbers are genuinely encouraging, and they bespeak the spot our buyers proceed to spot successful Sri Lankan manufacturing adjacent amid a challenging commercialized environment," says JAAF.

"Our absorption present is connected securing a just and competitory tariff result successful Washington, truthful that this momentum tin construe into semipermanent maturation alternatively than a short-term gain. We stay assured that with the close argumentation support, the 2nd fractional of 2026 tin beryllium considerably stronger for the sector."

During the month, shipments to markets extracurricular Sri Lanka's accepted 3 halfway destinations roseate 14.61% to $70.67m. Exports to the UK recorded an summation of 0.87%, portion shipments to the European Union fell somewhat by 0.3% to $121.35m.

Despite May's upturn, JAAF notes that full exports of apparel and textile goods implicit the archetypal 5 months of 2026 reached $1.93bn, down 4.68% compared to the aforesaid play a twelvemonth earlier.

All 3 main export markets, the US, EU and UK, recorded cumulative declines implicit that period.

"US request lifts Sri Lanka apparel exports to 2026 monthly high" was primitively created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.