Bangladesh records mixed export performance in first quarter of FY 2025-26
Bangladesh’s export performance in the first quarter of the current fiscal year has seen mixed results, with three-month earnings rising 5.64% to US $ 12.31 billion, offsetting a monthly decline in September.
Merchandise exports fell 4.61% year on year in September, largely due to a drop in the country’s largest foreign-currency earner, readymade garments (RMG). Last month, export receipts stood at US $ 3.62 billion, down from US $ 3.80 billion in September 2024, according to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Sunday.
The decline marked the second consecutive month of falling exports after a strong start to FY 2025-26. In July, earnings posted robust growth of around 25%, reaching US $ 4.77 billion, while August saw a 2.93% year-on-year decline.
Of September’s total receipts, RMG contributed US $ 2.83 billion, a 5.66% drop compared to the same month last year. Knitwear exports fell by 5.75% to US $ 1.63 billion, while woven garments decreased by 5.54% to US $ 1.20 billion. Despite the monthly decline, the RMG sector still recorded 4.79% growth in the July–September period, earning US $ 9.97 billion, up from US $ 9.51 billion in the same period last year.
Sources noted that while July’s strong performance highlights resilience, the slowdown in August and September reflects challenges posed by fluctuating global demand and evolving market dynamics.
Commenting on the situation, Inamul Haq Khan, senior vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), described the growth as “normal,” explaining that August to October is traditionally a lean period with low order flow, which most heavily affects small and medium factories.
Faisal Samad, director of BGMEA, said that many factories are currently operating only eight hours a day, indicating shortages of work. Haq added that factories supplying Australian buyers experienced the opposite situation due to seasonal demand there. Both BGMEA leaders noted that demand from the US had not increased as much as expected following a 20% additional tariff imposed on Bangladesh.
Other export sectors showed varied results. Home textile exports rose 7.98% in July–September to US $ 206.62 million, while leather and leather products earned US $ 319.74 million, up 10.60% year-on-year. However, leather footwear exports fell by 9.85% in September, reflecting international pricing and competitiveness challenges.
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