Bangladesh’s export earnings for the first eleven months (July–May) of the current financial year 2024–25 stood at $44.95 billion, marking a 10 per cent year-on-year increase from $40.86 billion recorded during the same period of the previous financial year.

According to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Tuesday, the country’s export earnings in May 2025 reached $4.74 billion, reflecting an 11.45 per cent rise from $4.25 billion in May 2024.

With just one month remaining in the fiscal year, Bangladesh is on track to approach — or potentially exceed — the $50 billion export milestone for the first time in its history.

The readymade garments (RMG) sector continued to dominate the export landscape, earning $36.56 billion during the July–May period, which is a 10.2 per cent increase from the previous year.

Knitwear led the segment with $19.62 billion, up 10.98 per cent, followed by woven garments at $16.94 billion, a 9.3 per cent rise.

In May alone, RMG exports rose 11.85 per cent to $3.92 billion, with knitwear and woven garments increasing by 13.03 per cent and 10.44 per cent, respectively.

Home textile exports posted modest growth of 4.78 per cent, totalling $824.58 million.

Outside the textile sector, leather and leather products performed well, increasing by 12.55 per cent to $1.06 billion.

Notably, leather footwear exports surged by 28.96 per cent year-on-year to $620.17 million, and by 54.68 per cent in May. In contrast, leather products excluding footwear declined by 3.39 per cent.

Engineering products brought in $498.23 million, reflecting a 12.4 per cent growth, while plastic goods rose 18.62 per cent to $270.16 million.

The agriculture sector recorded a modest overall increase of 3.17 per cent, but key components showed stronger performance.

Frozen and live fish exports rose 17.53 per cent, with shrimp exports jumping 19.04 per cent year-on-year and a staggering 62.71 per cent in May alone.

In contrast, jute and jute goods exports declined by 4.77 per cent over the 11-month period, though the sector posted a 16.79 per cent recovery in May.

Meanwhile, specialised textiles saw healthy growth of 16.09 per cent, earning $361.55 million.