Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to its major markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, recorded notable growth in the first 10 months of the current financial year 2024–25, despite ongoing political challenges.

According to country-wise export data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), compiled by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh exported RMG products worth $32.64 billion during the July–April period of FY25.

This marks a 10 per cent rise from $29.67 billion in the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

Exporters attributed the steady growth to rising demand from international brands and retailers, which has helped maintain export momentum in recent months.

The European Union remained the largest destination for Bangladeshi garments, with exports reaching $16.25 billion in July–April of FY25—up 10.55 per cent from $14.70 billion in the same period of FY24.

Exports to the EU accounted for nearly half—49.78 per cent—of the sector’s total earnings during the period.

Industry insiders remained cautiously optimistic that the trend would continue if global demand held and domestic production remained uninterrupted.

Bangladesh earned $6.22 billion from the US market in the first ten months of FY25, marking a robust growth of 15.75 per cent compared to $5.38 billion during the same period of FY24.

The earnings from the North American country accounted for 19.09 per cent of the total revenue.

EPB data show that RMG export earnings from the UK witnessed a narrow positive growth of 3.41 per cent to $3.63 billion, compared to $3.5 billion in the July-April period of FY24.

Bangladeshi RMG exporters shipped apparel items worth $1.05 billion in July-April of FY25, 13.86 per cent higher than the $924.7 million earned in the same period of FY24.

Among the EU countries, Germany remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, from which the RMG manufacturers bagged $4.08 billion in July-April of FY25.

Followed by Germany, the export earnings from Spain stood at $2.85 billion, France at $1.78 billion, Netherlands at $1.72 billion, Poland at $1.37 billion, and Italy at $1.27 billion, the EPB data stated.

Regarding apparel exports, countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU are considered traditional markets, while other countries are deemed non-traditional.

Japan, Australia, Russia, India, China, South Korea, UAE, Malaysia, Brazil and Mexico are major non-traditional export destinations.

Export earnings from the nontraditional market also experienced positive growth, with an overall rise of 6.25 per cent to $5.48 billion, up from $5.16 billion in the FY24 period.

The nontraditional market represented 16.79 per cent of Bangladesh’s total RMG exports. Japan led these markets with imports worth $1.02 billion from Bangladesh, followed by Australia $688.23 million and India worth $563.81 million.

Moreover, RMG exports to Turkey and South Korea also witnessed significant earnings, amounting to $387.46 million and $369.70 million, respectively.

According to the EPB data, the export earnings from almost all major destinations witnessed a double-digit growth rate during July-April.

Faruque Hassan, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the RMG sector witnessed moderate growth from July to April.

‘However, due to the US tariff fear, there was sluggishness in the orders in past few weeks. So, export may witness a negative growth in the coming months for Bangladesh and other major suppliers,’ he added.

He also said the government should work on the new US tariff through negotiations and diplomatic channels.

Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of the BGMEA, told New Age that the ongoing global trade conflicts also present new opportunities for Bangladesh to explore.

‘In this regard, we should focus more on non-traditional markets, product diversifying and other innovations,’ he added.

In FY24, Bangladesh earned $38.48 billion by exporting RMG items to its global destinations.