The country鈥檚 readymade garment exports to major markets experienced either narrow or moderate growth, with some markets seeing a decline during the July-September period, the first quarter of the current financial year 2025-26.
According to country-wise detailed export data from the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh exported RMG items worth $9.97 billion in the first three months of FY26, which 4.79 per cent higher than that of $9.51 billion in the same period of FY25.
Exporters said that August, September and October were a lean season for them, as there were fewer orders and fewer UD inquiries, resulting in less growth, with even negative growth in a single month of August.聽
Moreover, due to the reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States, orders from the destination declined, leading to increased competition in Europe.
In the July-September period of FY26, Bangladesh exported RMG items worth $4.75 billion to the European Union countries, the largest market for Bangladeshi manufacturers, which was 3.64 per cent higher than that of $4.58 billion of the same period of FY25.聽
The export earnings from the EU accounted for 47.60 per cent of the total earnings, according to the EPB data, compiled by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, a private initiative working to promote the apparel and textile industry in Bangladesh.
However, export earnings from major EU countries like Germany and France declined in the first quarter of FY26, the EPB data stated.
Export earnings from the United States witnessed a robust growth of 8.6 per cent to $2.01 billion, up from $1.85 billion in the July-September period of FY25, defying the tariff fears.
The US, the largest single-country destination for Bangladeshi exporters, represented a 20.18 per cent share of the total earnings.
Bangladesh bagged $1.22 billion from the UK in the three months of FY26, which was 6.74 per cent higher than the $1.14 billion earned in the same period of FY25.聽
From Canada, the RMG sector earned $336.70 million in the reporting period of FY26, 13.63 per cent more than the $296.32 million earned in the corresponding period of FY25.
In July-September, earnings from Germany witnessed a negative growth of 3.17 per cent to $1.12 billion, which was $1.16 billion in the first quarter of FY25, the EPB data showed.
Export earnings from Spain stood at $1 billion, those from the Netherlands $548 million, France $472 million, Italy $336 million and Poland $380 million.
However, export earnings from France witnessed a decline of over 2 per cent.
Regarding apparel exports, countries like the US, Canada, the UK and the EU are considered traditional markets, while other countries are deemed non-traditional ones.
Japan, Australia, Russia, India, China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Brazil and Mexico are major non-traditional export destinations.
Export earnings from the non-traditional market also demonstrated a narrow positive growth of 0.77 per cent to $1.65 billion in July-September of FY26, which was $1.64 billion in the same period of FY25.
The non-traditional market represented 16.61 per cent of Bangladesh鈥檚 total RMG exports.
Among these markets, Japan led with imports worth $335 million from Bangladesh, followed by India at $217 million, Australia $209 million and South Korea $111 million.
However, exports to Australia experienced a decline of over 8 per cent.
RMG exports to Turkey and Mexico also witnessed significant earnings, amounting to $66 million and $71 million respectively, in the July-September period of FY26.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that RMG exports declined in many destinations as a number of factories got fewer orders than usual.
Moreover, Bangladeshi exporters are encountering US tariffs, increasing competition in the EU and other markets and some domestic challenges, he said.
鈥榃e fear that this slowdown may persist over the next two to three months. However, we expect exports to recover once international buyers adjust to the new tariff regime,鈥� Hatem added.
Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that Bangladesh鈥檚 current growth in exports significantly depended on the EU and the US.
The growth on the non-traditional market underscores the importance of further research and focus in this category, as it possesses substantial growth potential, which will also help balance reliance on traditional markets, he added.
Exporters also said that August, September, and October were lean periods for RMG items, and the exports might witness a rebound starting in November and December.
In FY25, the RMG sector earned $39.35 billion from its global destinations.
