Sri Lanka’s May apparel exports flat, says JAAF

Sri Lanka’s apparel exports in May 2025 remained relatively flat with a slight dip of 0.63 per cent compared to the same month last year, totalling US$365.08 million, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said on Saturday.

While shipments to the EU grew by 5.15 per cent and exports to other markets rose sharply by 11.1 per cent, this growth was offset by contractions in key markets. Exports to the USA and UK declined by 7.59 per cent and 6.81 per cent respectively, reflecting ongoing demand volatility in Western consumer markets, it said in a statement.

Despite the dip in May, cumulative exports for the period January to May 2025 show a strong recovery trajectory, with total earnings increasing by 9.8 per cent to reach $2.02 billion. Exports to the EU (excluding UK) saw the most significant growth at 15.36 per cent, followed by 13.12 per cent growth in non-traditional markets. Shipments to the US and UK also recorded moderate gains of 6.52 per cent and 3.74 per cent respectively.

Commenting on the performance, JAAF said: “The industry’s year-to-date performance demonstrates resilience and adaptability, driven by strategic market shifts and continued investment in value-added products. We are encouraged by the momentum, particularly in emerging and EU markets.”

To sustain this progress, JAAF reiterates the importance of a stable and predictable trade policy environment that enables long-term competitiveness and supports exporters navigating global headwinds.