January, February exports record positive growth

Indunil HEWAGE

Total exports in January and February this year registered positive growth, up 51.88 percent to US $ 1671.61 million as against US $ 1100.63 million recorded in the corresponding period in 2010.

Export Development Board Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said total agricultural exports in January and February increased by 18.19 percent to US $ 395.45 million as against US $ 334.58 million recorded during the same period in 2010.

Tea, natural rubber, coconut, and other export products that come under the total agricultural exports also registered considerable growth compared to the same period in previous year.

Tea exports registered 17.58 percent growth with US $ 235.32 million in January and February 2011 in comparison with US $ 200.13 million worth of exports in the same period in 2010.

Natural rubber exports in January and February in 2011 recorded 23.35 growth to US $ 49.76 million as against US $ 40.34 million during the same period in the previous year.

Exports from coconut and other export crops increased by 32.31 percent and 8.88 percent from January to February in 2011 and registered US $ 44.64 million and US $ 65.73 million export earnings respectively in January and February in 2010.

Fisheries products and industrial products exports increased by 37.50 percent and 67.84 percent to US $ 35.97 million and US $ 1236.15 million respectively from January to February in 2011.

Total exports of diamonds, gems and jewellery textile and garments and manufactures registered positive growth and increased by 4.01, 78.43 and 53.17 percent respectively in January and February 2011.

Total export earnings of diamonds, gems and jewellery, textile and garments and manufactures reached US $ 67.41, US $ 742.19 and US $ 349.63 million respectively in January and February this year.

Total exports of petroleum and unclassified products in January and February 2011 reported favourable growth and reached US $ 76.92 million with 179.91 percent growth and US $ 3.92 million with 15.68 percent growth respectively.