FX.co ★ Sri Lanka Trade Deficit Widened in March

In March 2025, Sri Lanka experienced a widening trade deficit, reaching USD 395.6 million compared to USD 359.2 million in March of the previous year. The country's exports saw an 8.1% year-over-year increase, totaling USD 1,241.7 million. This growth was propelled by a 17.3% surge in the export of agricultural products, notably tea, coconut, and spices, and a 6% rise in industrial goods, particularly within the food, beverages, tobacco, textiles, and garments sectors. On the import front, there was an 8.6% year-over-year increase, amounting to USD 1,637.3 million. This rise was largely attributed to significant increases of 35.1% in consumer goods spending and 39.4% in investment goods. Nonetheless, this was somewhat mitigated by a 5.4% decline in intermediate goods imports.