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The export of the readymade garment items from Bangladesh to its major destinations, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe, witnessed a considerable growth in the eleven months or July-May period of the current financial year 2024-25 amid tariff issues.

According to country-wise detailed export data of the Export Promotion Bureau, compiled by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Bangladesh exported RMG items worth $36.56 billion in July-May of FY25, a moderate increase of 10.30 per cent, from $33.17 billion in the corresponding period of FY24.

Apparel exporters said that, due to growing demands of brands and retailers and a shift in orders from China, export earnings had maintained a growth momentum for the past few months, despite ongoing tariff issues and political transition in the country.

According to the EPB data, in the July-May period of FY25, fetching a positive growth of 10.46 per cent, Bangladesh shipped RMG items worth $18.25 billion to European Union countries, higher than that of $16.19 billion in the same period of FY24.

The export earnings from the EU covered 49.91 per cent of the total revenue.

Bangladesh bagged $7.31 billion from the US, the single largest destination of Bangladeshi exporters, in the first eleven months of FY25, which was robust 15.97 per cent higher than that of $6.06 billion earned in the July-May period of FY24. The earnings from the North American country accounted for 19.23 per cent of the total revenue.

Fetching a narrow growth of 3.96 per cent, Bangladesh earned $4.03 billion from the UK in the July-May period of FY25, which was $3.88 billion in the same period of FY24, the EPB data stated. 

Bangladeshi RMG exporters shipped apparel items worth $1.2 billion to Canada in July-May of FY25, 14.14 per cent higher than the $1.05 billion earned in the same period of FY24.

Among the EU countries, Germany remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, from which the RMG manufacturers of the country bagged $4.58 billion in July-May of FY25, said the EPB data.

Following Germany, the export earnings from Spain stood at $3.16 billion, that of France at $2 billion, the Netherlands at $1.93 billion,  Poland at $1.56 billion and Italy at $1.43 billion, with positive growth maintained at every destination.

Regarding apparel exports, countries like the US, Canada, the UK and the EU are considered traditional markets, while other countries are deemed non-traditional.

Japan, Australia, Russia, India, China, South Korea, the UAE, Malaysia, Brazil and Mexico are major non-traditional export destinations.

Export earnings from the non-traditional markets also experienced positive growth, with an overall rise of 6.79 per cent to $6.04 billion, up from $5.65 billion in the same period of FY24.

The non-traditional market represented 16.53 per cent of Bangladesh’s total RMG exports.

In July-May period of FY25, Japan led these markets with imports worth $1.11 billion from Bangladesh, followed by Australia $759.16 million and India $604.78 million.

Moreover, RMG exports to Turkey and South Korea also witnessed significant earnings, amounting to $430.94 million and $396.03 million respectively. 

According to the EPB data, export earnings from almost all major destinations experienced a double-digit growth rate from July to May.

Speaking to ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·, Inamul Haq Khan, senior vice-president of the BGMEA, stated that over the past few months, Bangladesh had witnessed a rise in purchase orders.

‘A considerable number of orders started to shift from China to Bangladesh due to US tariff. Moreover, some Chinese manufacturers shifted their offices to Dhaka and hired factories, which impacted the growth,’ he added.

He stated that buyers consistently trusted Bangladesh due to its ethical production practices.

‘We have opportunity to raise our share in the global RMG markets from our existing share of about 7 per cent. In this regard, the government has to support us with uninterrupted gas, electricity and adequate policy,’ he added.

Regarding the US tariff issue, he said that the 90-day pause was approaching its end, but Bangladesh was delaying in taking action.

‘Our government should act soon as most of our competitors are working in it,’ he added.

Regarding the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, he said that Bangladeshi oil and LNG imports might be hampered if the Hormuz Strait got closed.

‘Our government should think about alternative sources for importing LNG beyond Qatar,’ he added.    

Mohiuddin Rubel, former BGMEA director, told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· that the ongoing global trade conflicts also presented new opportunities for Bangladesh to explore.

‘In this regard, we should focus more on non-traditional markets, product diversifying and other innovations,’ he added.

In FY24, Bangladesh earned $38.48 billion by exporting RMG items to its global destinations.