Bangladesh's exports rise 5.43% in July-August

Merchandise shipments from Bangladesh grew 5.43 percent year-on-year to $9.15 billion in July-August, the first two months of the current fiscal year, riding on a moderate rebound in garment exports, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) today.

Also, in the monthly comparison, exports of goods grew 13.14 percent year-on-year to $4.42 billion in August this year.

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However, exports declined by 6.30 percent in August compared with July, when earnings stood at $4.72 billion, the EPB data also showed.

The readymade garments (RMG) sector remained the principal driver of export growth, posting a 13.92 percent year-on-year increase to $3.89 billion in August 2027.

Cumulative RMG exports during July-August also increased by 5.12 percent, reaching $7.50 billion, the EPB said in a statement.

Both major apparel segments recorded notable growth. Knitwear exports rose by 14.88 percent, while woven garments increased by 12.70 percent in August. During July-August, knitwear and woven exports grew by 6.17 percent and 3.81 percent, respectively.

Several non-RMG sectors also delivered impressive performances, highlighting the country's export diversification efforts.

Among the major gainers were jute & jute goods (37.09 percent), pharmaceuticals (28.52 percent), leather & leather goods (24.85 percent), printed materials (24.83 percent), engineering products (23.88 percent), and other footwear (15.29 percent). Cumulative growth remained particularly strong in printed materials (41.89 percent), pharmaceuticals (38.94 percent), other footwear (27.32 percent), and jute & jute goods (22.26 percent).

The United States, Bangladesh's largest export destination, registered robust growth of 26.09 percent in August and 11.90 percent cumulative growth during July-August.

The United Kingdom regained its position as the second-largest export market, followed by Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. Among emerging markets, Türkiye (141.03 percent), the Republic of Korea (42.37 percent), and Saudi Arabia (42.09 percent) recorded outstanding export growth.

Export growth was supported by stronger demand in major markets, increased buyer confidence in Bangladesh as a reliable sourcing destination, expansion of production capacities, growing exports of higher value-added products, and ongoing efforts towards product and market diversification, the EPB also said in the statement.

The continued growth of both knitwear and woven garments, together with robust performances of pharmaceuticals, leather goods, jute products, engineering products and footwear, reflects the increasing competitiveness and resilience of Bangladesh's export sector amid a challenging global trade environment, the EPB said.