According to the latest September data released by the Export Development Board, a notable decline in revenue has been observed in the country's agricultural export sector. Despite recording significant growth during the first quarter of the year, the trend reversed within a few months.
Key Points
- Vegetable export revenue dropped by 19.95 percent in the first nine months
- Fruit export earnings also plunged by 20.22 percent
- Armed conflicts in the Middle East directly impacted the downturn
Record growth in the first quarter
In the first quarter from January to March 2026, vegetable export earnings increased to US$ 7.63 million. This was a 38.48 percent growth compared to the US$ 5.51 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
Similarly, fruit export revenue had also risen by 32.04 percent, climbing from US$ 9.05 million to US$ 11.95 million.
Middle East crisis and downturn
Due to the armed conflict that erupted in the Middle East in late February, operations of hotels and retail stores in the region were disrupted. Consequently, demand for Sri Lankan produce dropped sharply, while export networks to both the Middle East and Europe were also affected.
As a result, during the first nine months from January to September, vegetable export earnings fell by 19.95 percent to US$ 22.11 million. In the same period last year, it stood at US$ 27.62 million.
Export Development Board data shows that fruit export revenue, which stood at US$ 37.39 million during the first nine months of last year, also dropped by 20.22 percent to US$ 29.83 million in the corresponding period this year.
