Bangladesh’s export sector showed signs of strain in August 2025, with total monthly earnings falling by 2.93 percent compared to the same month last year.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports in August totalled $3.92 billion, down from $4.03 billion in August 2024.

This monthly dip comes despite a strong start to the fiscal year. Cumulative export earnings for the first two months (July–August) of the financial year 2025–26 reached $8.69 billion, reflecting a 10.61 percent year-on-year increase from the 7.85 billion earned during the same period of FY25.

According to data from the EPB, the country’s readymade garments (RMG) sector experienced a 4.75 percent decline in exports in August 2025 compared to the same month in 2024.

Export earnings for the month stood at $3.17billion, down from $3.33 billion in August of the previous year.

The decline was more pronounced in the knitwear segment, which saw a 6.34 percent drop, with earnings falling from $1.89 billion in August 2024 to $1.77 billion in August 2025.

Woven garments also registered a decline, though less sharp, dipping by 2.65 percent, from $1.43 billion to $1.40 billion.

Despite these short-term declines, the sector still posted a 9.63 percent year-on-year growth for the July–August period of FY26, earning $7.13 billion—up from $6.50 billion in the previous financial year.

The sector’s growth was supported by steady demand in both knitwear and woven garments, the two major subcategories within RMG.

Knitwear exports in the first two months of FY26 rose to $3.95 billion, up by 9.11 percent from the previous financial year’s $3.62 billion, while woven garments fetched $3.18 billion, showing a higher growth rate of 10.28 percent compared to $2.88 billion.

Home textile exports recorded a 12.68 percent growth during July–August, reaching $139.02 million.

August exports rose by 12.14 percent compared to last year.

Leather and leather products also posted strong growth over the first two months of FY26, earning $228.76 million, which marked a 13.68 percent year-on-year rise.

Export earnings from leather goods rose by 27.38 percent, while processed leather increased by 22.22 percent.

However, leather footwear exports struggled in August, falling by 11.18 percent year-on-year, suggesting challenges in pricing and competitiveness in foreign markets.

The agricultural sector, though modest in overall contribution, recorded a 3.96 percent increase, with vegetable exports climbing by an impressive 58.13 percent to reach $19.45 million in July-August of FY26.

The jute and jute goods sector showed mixed results. Overall exports increased by 6.96 percent to $118.56 million in the first two months of FY26.

Jute sacks and bags nearly doubled in performance, rising by 94.62 percent over the period.

However, jute yarn and twine exports declined slightly, and raw jute showed minimal growth.

Frozen and live fish exports surged by 32.45 percent in July–August, totalling $81.55 million.

Shrimp exports were a major contributor, growing by 29.15 percent to reach $59.10 million.

Pharmaceuticals continued to expand, earning $36.46 million in July–August, a 26.12 percent rise from the previous year.

Specialised textiles recorded a 4 percent growth over the two-month period, but the subcategory of terry towels declined by 6.76 percent.