Sri Lanka Balance Deficit Widens

2026-03-31 18:24 By Felipe Alarcon 1 min. read

Sri Lanka’s trade deficit widened to $776 million in February 2026, the largest trade deficit in four months and up from $411.3 million in the same month a year earlier, as import growth significantly outpaced the marginal increase in exports.

Goods exports rose 0.47% year-on-year to $1,057.8 million, driven by broad-based gains across most product categories.

Mining products surged 142.86%, led by higher shipments of earths and stone.

Agricultural exports increased 1.53%, particularly rubber, while industrial product exports declined 0.06%.

Meanwhile, goods imports rose significantly by 25.24% year-on-year to $1,833.8 million.

Consumer goods imports jumped 35.7%, mainly reflecting higher purchases of personal vehicles, which totaled $204.8 million, including both personal and commercial vehicles.

Investment goods imports also rose 35%.

These increases were partially offset by a decline in imports of intermediate goods of 11.92% in the prior period but rose 18.26% this month.



News Stream
Sri Lanka Balance Deficit Widens
Sri Lanka’s trade deficit widened to $776 million in February 2026, the largest trade deficit in four months and up from $411.3 million in the same month a year earlier, as import growth significantly outpaced the marginal increase in exports. Goods exports rose 0.47% year-on-year to $1,057.8 million, driven by broad-based gains across most product categories. Mining products surged 142.86%, led by higher shipments of earths and stone. Agricultural exports increased 1.53%, particularly rubber, while industrial product exports declined 0.06%. Meanwhile, goods imports rose significantly by 25.24% year-on-year to $1,833.8 million. Consumer goods imports jumped 35.7%, mainly reflecting higher purchases of personal vehicles, which totaled $204.8 million, including both personal and commercial vehicles. Investment goods imports also rose 35%. These increases were partially offset by a decline in imports of intermediate goods of 11.92% in the prior period but rose 18.26% this month.
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