Sri Lankan seafood exporters are wary of the 30% US tariff, despite its reduction from 44%. In a statement, the Seafood Exporters Association of Sri Lanka (SEASL) said the industry would still take a hit and be at a disadvantage compared to regional exporters. Approximately 25% of all Sri Lankan seafood exports go to the US.
“Even at 30%, our exports face significantly higher duties than those from Vietnam and the Philippines, which enjoy tariffs of 20% or less,” said the Chairman of the Association. “This disparity affects critical export sectors, such as seafood, tea, coconut products, and processed foods—industries that collectively support thousands of Sri Lankan jobs and livelihoods.”
The Association said they have been working on diversifying into other markets in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. Still, these were long-term projects and would not ease the immediate setback faced by the tariffs.
Our competitiveness is already constrained by higher raw material costs in Sri Lanka and the burden of domestic taxes, both of which directly impact the prices we can offer to our buyers,” the spokesperson noted.
The Association wants the government to negotiate the tariffs before the August 1 deadline. They also want the government to develop a comprehensive export competitiveness strategy that improves supply chains, ensures compliance with international standards, and accelerates market access advocacy.
