Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports to the United Kingdom rose 5.94% year-on-year to $1.29 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, as strong growth in August and September offset a sluggish start to the fiscal year.
According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data compiled by trade research platform Bangladesh Apparel Voice, Bangladesh exported $1.21 billion worth of apparel to the UK in July-September of FY2025-26.
The monthly export average in the first quarter of FY2026-27 stood at $430.71 million, up from $406.54 million recorded throughout FY2025-26, indicating renewed momentum in one of Bangladesh’s key export markets.
However, the growth varied across the three months. Exports fell 2.44% year-on-year in July before rebounding 10.53% in August. The upward trend continued in September, with shipments rising 11.71% year-on-year.
Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, said the strong recovery in August helped Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the UK return to positive territory after the disappointing start in July.
“We need to retain the growth that we have achieved so far in the UK market. The UK is a huge market, worth around $5 billion worldwide, and Bangladesh has considerable opportunities to expand its share,” Rubel told Daily Waadaa.
He said sustaining export growth would require greater emphasis on product diversification, value addition and changing consumer demand in the UK.
“Rather than relying heavily on traditional product categories, we should develop products that offer greater value and help us move up the supply chain,” he said.
Rubel identified man-made fibre (MMF) garments and sportswear as promising segments, saying Bangladesh needed to strengthen its capabilities in these areas to compete more effectively.
“We should focus more on man-made fibre and sportswear to capture a larger market share in the UK. China and Vietnam are our biggest competitors in high-value products. We need to increase the share of high-value items in our export basket if we want to compete with these countries more effectively,” he added.
Industry observers have also stressed the need to move beyond the traditional concentration on cotton-based basic garments towards more diversified, technically advanced and value-added products. Expanding MMF production capacity, improving product design and strengthening technical expertise could help Bangladeshi exporters respond to changing market requirements.
While the first-quarter figures offer an encouraging start to FY2026-27, the contrasting monthly performances highlight the need to sustain growth rather than rely on short-term rebounds.
With the UK offering significant opportunities for Bangladesh’s apparel industry, diversification, innovation and a stronger presence in higher-value segments will be crucial to maintaining export momentum and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in the global garment market.