Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to the European Union (EU) fetched a total of €19.41 billion in 2025, marking a 5.97 per cent year-on-year increase from €18.31 billion in 2024, according to Eurostat data.

Despite the overall growth, shipments in December 2025 fell sharply by over 12 per cent to €1.35 billion, down from €1.54 billion in December 2024.

EU-wide apparel imports also declined in December 2025, falling 2.27 per cent to €6.94 billion from €7.11 billion in the same month of 2024, Eurostat data showed.

Analysing monthly performance, Bangladesh’s exports surged in the first quarter, with growth of over 61 per cent in January, followed by 26.64 per cent in February and 18.54 per cent in March.

Growth slowed to 5.97 per cent in April and turned negative in May, falling 10.92 per cent.

June saw a strong recovery, with exports rising 20.42 per cent, followed by a 6.87 per cent increase in July.

August recorded a contraction of 7.73 per cent, while September saw a temporary rebound of 15.66 per cent.

October and November experienced declines of 19.67 per cent and 10.87 per cent respectively.

Industry insiders said that Bangladesh’s garment exports to the EU, its largest market, face stiff competition.

Key rivals such as China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan have increasingly focused on the bloc, a trend intensified by the US’s new tariff regime, which has prompted exporters to diversify into Europe.

China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Cambodia all posted positive growth over the year.

In China’s case, the unit price of apparel fell by 9.38 per cent, while volume and value rose by 11.64 per cent and 1.17 per cent respectively, reflecting a strategic pivot towards the European market amid US market challenges.

Overall, the EU imported €89.99 billion worth of apparel in 2025, a modest 2.10 per cent increase from €88.14 billion in 2024.

China’s exports to the bloc rose 1.17 per cent to €26.58 billion, while India earned €4.54 billion, up 7.99 per cent.

Cambodia recorded strong growth, with exports surging 14.66 per cent to €4.49 billion.

Exports from Vietnam and Pakistan increased by 9.66 per cent and 9.64 per cent, reaching €4.37 billion and €3.85 billion respectively.