Bangladesh鈥檚 readymade garment exports to non-traditional markets declined in the July-October period of the current financial year 2025-26, due to weaker demand and economic sluggishness.
RMG exports to new destinations witnessed a year-on-year decline of 2.69 per cent to $2.17 billion in the first four months of FY26, down from $2.23 billion in the same period of FY25, according to Export Promotion Bureau data.
Industry insiders said the decline occurred due to weak consumer demand, insufficient research and innovation to capture market trends, and inefficient marketing at nontraditional destinations.
Regarding apparel exports, countries such as the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU are considered traditional markets, while other countries are deemed non-traditional markets.
Japan, Australia, Russia, India, China, South Korea, the Middle East, Malaysia, Brazil, and Mexico are major non-traditional export destinations.
In the July-October period of FY26, the non-traditional market represented 16.70 per cent of Bangladesh鈥檚 total RMG exports.
However, during the period, RMG exports to major nontraditional markets, including Australia, India, South Korea, Russia, and Mexico, declined, except to Japan, leaving exporters concerned.
The sector has been struggling in global markets, too, due to reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States and increased competition in European markets.聽聽
According to the EPB data, Japan led with imports worth $427 million from Bangladesh, a 4.3 per cent increase from $403 million in July-October of FY25.
In the first four months of FY26, exports to India fell by 5.26 per cent to $265 million, below $280 million in the same period, while exports to Australia reached $256 million, resulting in a negative growth of 10.81 per cent from $287 million.
Exports to another emerging market like South Korea, also declined by 14.55 per cent to $143 million, below $167 million in the July-October period of FY25.
RMG exports to Turkey and Mexico also witnessed an alarming decline of 32 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively, to $100 million and $98 million in the July-October period of FY26.
Speaking to 抖阴精品, Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that exports to all major markets have been sluggish or in decline.
鈥楧ue to weaker demands, fewer UD and orders, the exports declined in almost all major markets, and nontraditional markets were not out of the trends,鈥� he added.
Most of the factories are running at a loss, he said, exemplifying that a buyer of his factory projected buying 6 million units but ultimately placed orders for 3 million.
鈥榃e expect the situation might be harder in the coming months,鈥� he added, saying that during this time, Bangladesh might graduate from the least developed country status.
He also said that the government should provide sufficient policy support聽to the RMG sector.
Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that, as Bangladesh exports 80 per cent to traditional markets, manufacturers鈥� focus has always remained on them.
鈥極ur infrastructure, mind-set, and goals 鈥� everything is concentrated on the traditional markets; for this reason, we have been struggling in emerging destinations,鈥� he added.
He also said that Bangladesh鈥檚 nontraditional destinations, such as Japan and South Korea, are among Vietnam鈥檚 major destinations.
鈥極ur close competitors are producing their product line aligning with the demands of the market, we don鈥檛 set targets, and for this, we cannot develop or vice versa,鈥� he added.
Countries like Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East have strong demand for trendy, high-value, and fast-fashion products, along with high purchasing power, Mohiuddin said, noting that manufacturers must focus on them.
鈥業n the US and EU, challenges, tariffs, and other economic barriers might be common, and to address these, we should align our innovation, research and development, and product line as per their trends,鈥� he added.
He also said the manufacturers must be aware of nontraditional markets and should visit countries to conduct their own marketing, rather than rely solely on the buyers鈥� local third-party offices.
During the July-October period of FY26,聽Bangladesh exported RMG items worth $12.99 billion, a 1.4 per cent increase from $12.81 billion in the same period of FY25.
In FY25, the RMG sector earned $39.35 billion from its global destinations.
