Bangladesh鈥檚 apparel exports to the European Union showed a strong upward trend in the first quarter (January-March) of 2025, with total earnings increasing by 33 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.
According to data from the Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, From January to March 2025, EU apparel imports from Bangladesh totalled 5.68 billion euros, compared to 4.27 billion euros during the same period in 2024. 聽
This increase of 1.41 billion euros in the quarter represents a notable 33 per cent growth in terms of value.
Knitwear exports drove much of this expansion, climbing nearly 36 per cent from around 2.39 billion euros to 3.25 billion euros. Woven apparel also performed strongly, with exports rising approximately 30 per cent from 1.87 billion euros to 2.43 billion euros.
Exporters attributed the recent surge in apparel exports to the EU to seasonal summer demand, early order placements by buyers and a recovering European market.
Although Bangladesh鈥檚 exports to the EU grew year-on-year in each of the three months, the rate of growth slowed gradually over the quarter.
Data showed that Bangladesh鈥檚 apparel exports to the EU in January 2025 posted the highest growth rate at 61 per cent, reaching 1.91 billion euros, followed by slower but healthy growth of 28 per cent in February with 1.66 billion euros and a further slowdown to 18 per cent growth in March with exports totaling 2.10 billion euros.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association former president Fazlul Hoque said that the significant increase in the EU鈥檚 overall apparel imports in the first quarter of 2025 indicated a clear revival of the market.
鈥楾he good news is that buyers are placing orders again 鈥� and the even better news is that a significant share of those orders is coming to Bangladesh. It shows that we are holding our ground, even as competition intensifies,鈥� he said.
The EU market saw strong growth in apparel imports in the first quarter of 2025, with total import value rising 20.6 per cent from approximately 19.44 billion euros in January-March of 2024 to 23.45 billion euros in the same period in 2025.
Knit apparel imports increased by 23.6 per cent, rising from 9.53 billion euros to 11.78 billion euros, while woven apparel imports grew 18 per cent, from 9.90 billion euros to 11.67 billion euros.
Overall, EU apparel imports rose by more than 4.9 billion euros year-on-year.
In volume terms, the EU鈥檚 apparel imports also recorded a significant increase.
Total import volume reached approximately 11.51 million kilograms in the first quarter of 2025, up from 9.57 million kilograms in the same period of 2024, a 20.3 per cent rise.
In quantity, Bangladesh鈥檚 total apparel exports to the EU rose from 2.90 million kilograms in the first quarter of 2024 to 3.61 million kilograms in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 24.6 per cent.
Knitwear volumes grew by 29.5 per cent, from 1.76 million kilograms to 2.28 million kilograms while woven apparel exports increased by 17.1 per cent, reaching 1.33 million kilograms.
Among major EU suppliers, Bangladesh recorded one of the highest growth rates in value terms, surpassing key competitors such as China, Vietnam, Turkey, and India.
While it fell just short of Cambodia鈥檚 exceptionally high growth rate, it remained slightly ahead of Pakistan鈥檚.
Despite the positive export trends, Fazlul Hoque cautioned that supply-side risks were mounting, particularly due to energy shortages.
He said that plans to divert gas from power generation could create significant energy supply challenges for the industry, potentially threatening Bangladesh鈥檚 ability to sustain or grow its market share.
Eurostat data showed that China retained its position as the EU鈥檚 largest apparel supplier by value. The country鈥檚 exports rose from 4.92 billion euros in the first quarter of 2024 to 6.35 billion euros in the same period of 2025, marking a 29 per cent increase. Knitwear shipments to the EU grew by 32.7 per cent, while woven apparel rose by 25.5 per cent.
Turkey saw a slight decline in total apparel exports, which fell by 0.9 per cent from 2.28 billion euros to 2.26 billion euros. While knit exports rose marginally by 1.5 per cent, woven apparel declined by 4.1 per cent, possibly reflecting changing competitiveness or supply chain dynamics.
India achieved solid growth, with EU imports rising from 1.07 billion euros to 1.37 billion euros, a 27.8 per cent increase. Knitwear grew by 34 per cent and woven by 22 per cent, indicating a broader improvement in India鈥檚 access to the EU market.
Vietnam鈥檚 apparel exports to the EU expanded by 22 per cent to 1.08 billion euros, supported by a 19 per cent rise in knitwear and a 24 per cent increase in woven apparel.
Pakistan recorded a 32.8 per cent rise in total exports, which reached 1.03 billion euros. Knitwear exports increased by 30 per cent, while woven apparel grew by 36 per cent.
Cambodia reported the fastest growth among all listed suppliers, with EU apparel imports rising by 37.8 per cent to 1.11 billion euros. Knitwear exports grew by 35 per cent, and woven garments surged by 41 per cent.
