Bangladesh鈥檚 export earnings in October recorded a negative growth of 7.43 per cent to $3.82 billion, lower than the $4.13 billion in September 2024.
However the country witnessed a narrow 2.22 per cent year-on-year export growth, reaching $16.14 billion in the July-October period of the 2025-26 financial year, riding on readymade garments.
According to data published by the Export Promotion Bureau on Monday, export earnings were $15.8 billion in the corresponding period of FY25.
October was the third consecutive month of negative export earnings growth, following August and September, which led to concerns among exporters.
Exporters said that weak global demand, fewer UD inquiries, and Chinese exporters鈥� push into EU markets impacted exports during the mentioned period.
In July-October of FY26, the RMG sector, the country鈥檚 highest export revenue earner, exported goods worth $12.9 billion, fetching a very narrow growth of 1.4 per cent from $12.81 billion in July-October of FY25.
In the single month of October 2025, the sector earned $3 billion, an 8.39-per-cent decline from $3.3 billion in October 2024, the EPB data stated.
Two segments of the RMG, woven and knitwear, witnessed declines of over 10 per cent and 5 per cent in export earnings in October this year.
However, in the first four months of FY26, knitwear exports grew by 0.42 per cent to $7.23 billion, while woven garment exports increased by 2.66 per cent to $5.75 billion.
Among the other notable sectors, home textiles grew 9.47 per cent to $279 million in July-October of FY26, up from $255 million in the same period of FY25.
The agricultural sector witnessed a 1.72 per cent decline to $379 million, down from $385 million in July-October of the previous financial year.
In the first four months of FY26, leather and leather goods posted a positive growth of 11.08 per cent to $414 million, which was $372 million in the same period of the previous financial year.
Engineering products grew 34.86 per cent to $220 million, up from $163 million in July-October of FY25.
Export earnings from jute and jute goods witnessed a positive growth of 4.74 per cent, reaching $277 million in the first four months of FY26, which were $265 million in the same period of FY25, the EPB data showed.
Even though the major export items of the country witnessed positive growth in July-October of FY26, most of the items experienced a decline in export earnings in the single month of October, as per EPB data.
Moreover, despite the year-on-year decline, the steady monthly growth trend and positive performance in key sectors demonstrated the resilience and competitiveness of Bangladesh鈥檚 export industries in the global market, the EPB stated.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that in October, year-on-year knitwear exports declined by 10 per cent 鈥� reflecting the real situation in the export sector, which may continue for the next few months.
He also said that several factors, including gas and electricity shortages and challenges related to banking and customs, are hampering trade.
鈥楾he US tariff policy has significantly impacted the global apparel industry, leading to shrinking demand,鈥� he added, saying that, on the other hand, China and India have intensified their presence in the EU and other markets to offset their losses in the US market.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Md Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the main reasons for the decline were buyers cutting back on orders amid fears of political instability before the election.
鈥楳oreover, the Chinese exporters redirecting their shipments to Europe to avoid high US tariffs, leading to a squeeze on Bangladesh鈥檚 market share, and Exporters struggling to open back-to-back letters of credit due to liquidity problems in troubled banks,鈥� he added.
He also said that the buyers were slightly reducing orders as they don鈥檛 want to take full risk ahead of the February election.
Bangladesh exported goods worth $48.28 billion in FY25, an 8.55 per cent increase from $44.47 billion in FY24, according to the EPB data.