Bangladesh’s readymade garment exports continued its upward trajectory, driven by strong demand across major destinations.

The European Union (EU) remained the largest regional market for Bangladesh, with RMG exports increasing 11.53 per cent to $13.42 billion in the first eight months (July-February) of the current financial year 2024-25, according to the Export Promotion Bureau data.

Bangladesh’s RMG exports to non-traditional markets in the first eight months of FY25 grew by 6.23 per cent, reaching $4.53 billion.

Japan continued to be the largest non-traditional market, with exports rising by 8.55 per cent to $839.43 million.

China, one of the world’s largest apparel producers, maintained stable imports from Bangladesh, with exports totaling $146.43 million.

India saw 18.58 per cent growth, while Brazil, Turkey and Australia also posted solid gains.

However, exports to Russia declined by 11.85 per cent, and South Africa saw a slight drop.

The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest single-country RMG market, with exports growing by 16.38 per cent to reach $5.07 billion in the first eight months of FY25. The country accounted for 18.91 per cent of Bangladesh’s total RMG exports.

The United Kingdom recorded a 3.74 per cent increase in RMG imports from Bangladesh, reaching $2.93 billion in the period.

Bangladesh’s RMG exports to Canada in July-February of FY25 rose by 14.12 per cent, reaching $845.55 million. The country now holds a 3.16 per cent share of Bangladesh’s total RMG exports.

Germany continued to be the largest EU market, with exports growing by 11.03 per cent to $3.38 billion ithe first eight months of FY25.

Spain saw a slight rise of 2.89 per cent, reaching $2.35 billion, while France recorded an 8.70 per cent increase to $1.43 billion.

The Netherlands posted an impressive 25.06 per cent growth, with exports reaching $1.43 billion, in the period.

Italy registered a moderate increase of 4.36 per cent, while Belgium’s exports surged by 17.27 per cent to $550.51 million.

Poland also experienced strong growth of 18.23 per cent, with exports amounting to $1.13 billion.

However, Bangladesh’s apparel shipment to Ireland in July-February of FY25 saw a slight decline of 0.31 per cent, with exports standing at $173.19 million. Luxembourg witnessed a sharp drop of 27.32 per cent, with exports falling to just $4.82 million.

Bangladesh’s RMG exports grew by 10.64 per cent in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, reaching $26.79 billion compared to $24.21 billion in the same period of FY24.