Bangladesh’s RMG exports rise 5.82% in July-October, led by US demand

Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to major global markets recorded predominantly positive growth during July-October of FY2026-27, with the United States emerging as a key driver of the increase.

The country’s RMG export earnings rose 5.82% year-on-year to $13.75 billion during the four-month period, up from $12.99 billion in the corresponding period of FY2025-26, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice published on Tuesday.

Knitwear exports outperformed woven garments, increasing 6.79% to $7.73 billion, while woven exports grew 4.60% to $6.02 billion.

The European Union (EU), Bangladesh’s largest apparel trading bloc, remained the biggest destination, with exports reaching $6.43 billion, up 2.79% from $6.26 billion a year earlier. The bloc accounted for 46.79% of the country’s total RMG export earnings during the period.

However, growth across individual EU markets was mixed. France, Italy, Denmark, Belgium and Austria recorded declines, while Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Poland registered increases.

Germany, the EU’s largest single-country market for Bangladeshi apparel, remained virtually unchanged, with exports edging up 0.01% to $1.44 billion.

Exports to France fell 7.87% to $611 million, while shipments to Italy declined 4.29% to $439 million. Denmark recorded a 12.10% drop to $270 million, Belgium fell 2.14% to $172.50 million and Austria declined 7.35% to $25.29 million.

In contrast, exports to Spain rose 13.36% to $1.45 billion, while the Netherlands recorded 8.68% growth to $785 million. Shipments to Sweden increased 10.59% to $240 million, and those to Poland rose 2.85% to $546 million.

The United States, Bangladesh’s largest single-country apparel export destination, recorded stronger growth, with shipments increasing 10.16% to $2.85 billion from $2.59 billion in the same period last year. The US accounted for 20.73% of the country’s total RMG export earnings.

Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and additional managing director of Denim Expert Ltd, described the overall performance as positive, particularly highlighting the improvement in exports to the US over the past few months.

He said the US market would remain a key factor for Bangladesh’s apparel sector as exporters sought to sustain growth amid an increasingly challenging global trade environment.

Rubel attributed the stronger performance partly to the US being less dependent on energy supplies from the Middle East than European countries, adding that the trend could continue.

Commenting on the relatively sluggish performance in Europe, he said economic challenges across the region had weighed on export growth. The situation could improve gradually if European countries managed to overcome their energy-related difficulties.

He also pointed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, saying disruptions to energy supplies from the region had affected European countries and contributed to slower economic growth across the bloc.

Meanwhile, RMG exports to Canada increased 2.41% to $453 million from $442 million a year earlier, accounting for 3.29% of Bangladesh’s total apparel exports.

The United Kingdom also maintained positive growth, with shipments rising 6.92% to $1.64 billion during July-October, compared with $1.53 billion in the corresponding period last year.

The UK accounted for 11.93% of the country’s total RMG exports.

The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union are traditionally considered Bangladesh’s major apparel export markets, while other destinations are classified as non-traditional markets.