United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s merchandise export earnings grew 6.34 percent to US$ 13.094 billion in the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year 2026-27, according to the latest data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). During the corresponding period of FY26, export earnings stood at $ 12.313 billion. In September 2026 alone, single-month export earnings rose 8.54 percent year-on-year to $3.937 billion, up from $3.627 billion in September 2025. The ready-made garment (RMG) sector, the major driver of the country’s export earnings, maintained its leading role, earning $10.578 billion during the July-September period, marking a 6.10 percent growth over $ 9.970 billion earned in the same period of the previous fiscal year. In September, RMG exports registered an 8.56 percent growth, reaching $ 3.082 billion, up from $2.839 billion in September 2025. Within the RMG sector, knitwear exports grew by 6.88 percent to $ 5.963 billion during the first quarter, while woven garment exports increased by 5.11 percent to $ 4.614 billion. In September, knitwear and woven exports achieved year-on-year growth of 8.58 percent and 8.54 percent, respectively. Several non-RMG sectors also exhibited strong momentum. The pharmaceutical sector recorded a remarkable 40.39 percent cumulative growth, achieving a notable 64.33 percent year-on-year growth in September. Jute and jute goods exports posted a cumulative growth of 31.55 percent (and 22.72 percent in September), while leather and leather products grew by 14.74 percent cumulatively (and 20.19 percent in September). Light engineering posted a 16.51 percent cumulative growth, and home textiles grew by 11.94 percent during the quarter. However, agricultural products as well as frozen and live fish experienced negative growth during the three months. Among destination countries, the United States remained Bangladesh’s largest single export market, importing goods worth $ 2.591 billion during the July–September period, up 11.34 percent from $ 2.327 billion during the same period last year. The United Kingdom ranked second with imports of $1.370 billion, followed by Germany with $ 1.218 billion. India and Japan ranked sixth and ninth among major export destinations, respectively, both maintaining positive growth. Among emerging markets, Türkiye posted the highest growth among major destinations, with exports rising by 100.11 percent from $105.21 million to $ 210.54 million during the July-September period. The latest export performance reflects the resilience of Bangladesh’s export sector, the sustained confidence of international buyers, and the collective efforts of exporters, workers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, said an EPB official. The EPB remains committed to supporting export diversification, market expansion, product upgrading, and trade facilitation initiatives to sustain export growth and achieve the country’s long-term export objectives, he pointed out.

Bangladesh earned over $5 billion from merchandise exports in November, a record income in a month thanks to a surge in the apparel exports, according to officials figures. The November export earnings of $5.09 reported by Export Promotion Bureau on Thursday surpassed the previous monthly highest income of $4,098 billion in last June. The $5.09 billion earned in November was 26 percent higher than the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, said EPB. The surge in the export earnings comes at a time when the Western countries, the main buyers of Bangladesh apparels, are fighting a depressed demand mainly due to energy crisis caused by Russia-Ukraine war. Read more: Bangladesh Bank allows export income, remittance through MFS This achievement raised hope of easing the growing foreign exchange crisis Bangladesh has been suffering since July this year. On a positive trend, the export earnings in the first five months of FY23 grew by 11 percent compared to last year's corresponding period, the latest EPB data showed. This is the first time Bangladesh’s export earnings crossed $5.0 billion in a single month as the manufactures, especially of apparels, received more orders from Western buyers and shipment of on-hold export consignments. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan told UNB that apparel orders, which had been declining in past few months, marked an upward trend because of product diversification and adding new export destinations like South Korea, non-European Union (EU) member countries and some African countries. He expressed hope that the order will go up further during winter and the Christmas celebrations as the Bangladesh supply capacity is good and the prices of clothes is very reasonable so far. Read more: Can’t control global economy, but want to boost exports: BGMEA president The BGMEA president pointed out that despite a surge in raw material prices the resumption of shipment of on-hold consignments and focusing more on diversification the Bangladesh export market is creating a better option for all types of buyers. European trade researcher Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaque said Bangladesh is exporting very essential clothing items at a reasonable rate, whose demand has increased slightly in the European market. The demand for clothing at affordable price has increased in Europe where inflation-hit buyers are struggling with high energy prices.  Bangladesh manufactures regular wear and home textile items and this dominate its exports to EU markets, said Razzaque.   Besides, exports of fruits, vegetable, frozen fish, jute and leather products, and handicrafts to EU countries also increased, he said. Read more: RMG exports rise in Oct despite overall decline He said Bangladesh’s export destination in EU-plus countries, the UK, Canada, and the USA will grow continuously, as the sign of ending the Russia-Ukraine war is being visible. Dr M Abu Eusuf, professor of development studies, at DU echoed Razzaque’s optimism saying the EU market is very potential for Bangladesh. He said that the demand for Bangladeshi apparel has been increasing by 10 percent every year in the Western countries. “We are seeing that result in November, where the export earnings crossed $5 billion for the first time, and this trend will continue,” he added. END/UNB/AI/F