Bangladesh’s export earnings in the just-concluded financial year 2024–25 reached $48.28 billion, representing an 8.58 percent year-on-year growth compared to $44.47 billion in the previous fiscal year, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data released on July 2.

However, this strong annual performance was tempered by a slowdown in the final month of the fiscal year, with June 2025 exports falling by 7.55 percent to $3.34 billion, down from $3.61 billion in June 2024.

The overall export growth was once again led by the readymade garments (RMG) sector, which continued to dominate the country’s export basket.

At the same time, several emerging sectors such as plastic products, frozen fish, and engineering goods also posted encouraging growth, highlighting the country’s ongoing efforts to diversify its export base.

The RMG sector, which accounted for more than 81 percent of total exports, earned $39.35 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting an 8.84 percent increase from the $36.15 billion recorded in the previous year.

Within the RMG category, knitwear exports totalled $21.16 billion, a year-on-year rise of 9.73 percent, while woven garments fetched $18.19 billion, marking an increase of 7.82 percent.

However, both categories experienced a downturn in June. Knitwear exports in June 2025 stood at $1.54 billion, down 4.04 percent from $1.60 billion in June 2024, while woven garments brought in $1.25 billion, a decline of 8.96 percent year-on-year.

The leather and leather products sector recorded annual exports of $1.15 billion, up 10.19 percent from the previous year’s $1.04 billion.

The performance of individual segments within the sector was mixed. Leather footwear performed strongly, registering a 23.54 percent increase in earnings to $672.07 million, although monthly earnings in June dropped sharply by 17.76 percent to $51.90 million compared to $63.11 million in the same month of 2024.

Conversely, leather products (excluding footwear) saw a slight annual decline of 2.21 percent, totalling $344.79 million, but enjoyed a 14.26 percent year-on-year growth in June, reaching $26.92 million.

Agricultural exports experienced modest annual growth, rising by 2.52 percent to $988.62 million.

This growth was supported by strong performances in some sub-sectors, although overall results were dampened by a 27.87 percent decline in vegetable exports, which fell from $112.47 million in FY 2023–24 to $81.12 million in FY 2024–25.

The vegetable exports in June 2025 rose by 36.68 percent, reaching $9.54 million, compared to $6.98 million in June 2024, indicating possible seasonal recovery or revived demand.

Home textile exports continued to face headwinds, with only 2.42 percent annual growth, rising from $851.01 million to $871.57 million.

The June 2025 figure was particularly concerning, falling 26.64 percent year-on-year to $46.99 million from $64.05 million in June 2024.

This may reflect declining demand in Western markets amid inflationary pressures and high inventory levels.

Exports of jute and jute goods fell by 4.10 percent during the fiscal year, totalling $820.16 million, compared to $855.23 million the previous year.

However, June 2025 brought some positive news for this traditionally important sector, with exports increasing by 7.14 percent year-on-year to $51.15 million, up from $47.74 million.

Specialised textiles, which include items such as terry towels, fabric, and other niche products, saw robust annual growth of 13.37 percent, bringing in $382.39 million, up from $337.28 million in FY 2023–24.

Nonetheless, June exports in this category dropped 19.38 percent, with earnings falling to $20.84 million from $25.85 million in the same month last year.

Bangladesh’s plastic goods industry continued its upward trajectory, with exports rising 16.21 percent annually to $284.05 million, from $244.43 million the previous year.

Despite this annual success, June exports fell by 16.73 percent, reaching $13.89 million, down from $16.68 million in June 2024.

Engineering products also contributed positively to export earnings, growing 10.03 percent year-on-year to $535.56 million, compared to $486.75 million in FY 2023–24.

Monthly figures, however, again reflected a slowing trend, with June earnings falling 14.18 percent to $37.33 million, down from $43.50 million a year earlier.

The frozen and live fish sector performed exceptionally well, earning $441.58 million, a 17.23 percent rise over last year’s $376.68 million.

Within this category, shrimp exports led the way, increasing by 19.32 percent annually to $296.29 million, with June exports of shrimp growing 22.71 percent year-on-year to $23.13 million.

Frozen fish exports also grew by 19.38 percent annually, totalling $92.41 million, while June earnings in this segment rose by 3.36 percent.

Live fish, however, experienced relatively slower growth of 4.86 percent annually and a 10.86 percent year-on-year decline in June.

Despite the commendable annual performance across many sectors, the overall decline in June 2025 export earnings underscores the challenges Bangladesh faces in the short term.

These include ongoing global economic uncertainty, falling consumer demand in major markets, logistical issues, and stiff competition from other low-cost manufacturing hubs.