Bangladesh’s export earnings fell by 2.19 per cent year-on-year to $23.99 billion during the July-December period of the financial year 2025–26, compared with $24.53 billion in the same period of FY25, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data released on December 4.

The contraction was driven largely by weaker shipments of readymade garments, alongside declines in agricultural products and several non-traditional export sectors.

Export performance deteriorated further in December 2025, when earnings dropped sharply by 14.25 per cent to $3.97 billion from $4.63 billion in December 2024.

The readymade garments (RMG) sector, which accounts for more than four-fifths of Bangladesh’s total exports, recorded a 2.63 per cent decline in earnings to $19.37 billion in the first six months of FY26, down from $19.89 billion in the corresponding period of FY25.

Knitwear exports fell by 3.22 per cent to $10.49 billion, while woven garment shipments declined by 1.91 per cent to $8.88 billion in July-December of FY26.

The slowdown became more pronounced in December 25, when total RMG exports dropped by 14.23 per cent year-on-year to $3.23 billion.

Knitwear exports in December fell by 13.74 per cent, while woven garments declined by 14.71 per cent.

Home textile exports provided some relief during the six-month period, rising by 2.93 per cent to $422.86 million compared with $410.81 million a year earlier.

Despite this moderate growth, the sector faced a downturn in December, when exports slipped by 7.76 per cent year-on-year to $77.46 million.

The leather and leather goods sector posted a mixed but generally positive performance over the July–December period, with exports increasing by 5.61 per cent to $609.68 million from $577.29 million.

Leather products recorded strong growth of 19.5 per cent, reaching $193.78 million, while leather footwear exports edged up by 0.55 per cent to $354.59 million.

In contrast, exports of raw leather declined by 1.87 per cent to $61.31 million.

However, the sector experienced a downturn in December, when total leather exports fell by 12.36 per cent to $97.19 million, largely due to a sharp 21.73 per cent drop in leather footwear shipments.

Agricultural exports registered a significant decline during the six-month period, falling by 10.30 per cent to $534.16 million from $595.51 million in the same period of the previous year.

The contraction was broad-based, although vegetable exports stood out with a sharp rise of 52.33 per cent to $45.09 million.

December performance in the agricultural sector remained weak overall, with exports plunging by 27.56 per cent to $72.53 million, despite vegetable shipments soaring by more than 80 per cent year-on-year, indicating strong demand for a limited range of items.

Exports of jute and jute goods remained largely flat in the first half of FY2025–26, edging up by just 0.31 per cent to $418.69 million compared with $417.39 million a year earlier.

In December, however, jute exports declined by 4.41 per cent to $72.35 million, reflecting subdued global demand and price pressures in traditional markets.

The frozen and live fish sector recorded steady growth over the six-month period, with exports rising by 3.72 per cent to $254.85 million.

Live fish exports increased by 5.98 per cent, frozen fish shipments grew by 0.81 per cent, and shrimp exports rose by 2.08 per cent.

This positive trend did not carry through to December, when total fish exports fell by 9.79 per cent year-on-year to $42.96 million, as shrimp exports declined by nearly 15 per cent and frozen fish shipments also weakened.

Pharmaceutical exports continued their upward trajectory, increasing by 3.84 per cent to $118.81 million during July–December, up from $114.42 million in the same period last year.

Unlike many other sectors, pharmaceuticals also performed well in December, with exports rising by 7.6 per cent year-on-year to $23.50 million, underlining the sector’s growing resilience and export potential.

Plastic product exports fell by 8.83 per cent to $143.99 million during July–December and dropped sharply by 19.03 per cent in December.

Specialised textile exports declined by 8.18 per cent to $179.26 million in the six-month period and fell by 17.48 per cent in December.

Exports of other footwear, excluding leather footwear, decreased by 3.84 per cent to $263.37 million over six months, while December shipments plunged by 31.10 per cent.

Headgear and cap exports also declined, falling by 5.06 per cent during July–December and by 17.61 per cent in December alone.

EPB data showed that among major export destinations, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom remained the top three markets in December 2025, posting growth rates of 7.14 per cent, 18.08 per cent and 14.50 per cent respectively.

Exports to several emerging and strategic markets also expanded significantly, notably the United Arab Emirates with growth of 25.39 per cent, Australia with 21.33 per cent and Canada with 9.13 per cent.