Bangladesh’s garment exports to the United States grew by 17.23 percent during the July-March period of fiscal year (FY) 2024–25, according to the latest data published by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The increase comes amid concerns over reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in early April, as the US is the country’s largest single-country export destination for readymade garments.
During the nine-month period, the US accounted for 18.97 percent of Bangladesh’s total garment exports, with shipments valued at $5.74 billion, EPB data show. Overall, Bangladesh’s RMG exports stood at $30.25 billion in the first three quarters of FY25 — up 10.84 percent from the same period a year earlier. The European Union maintained its position as the largest regional destination, taking in 49.82 percent of total RMG exports, worth $15.07 billion.
This marks a year-on-year increase of 11.31 percent. Germany led the EU market with imports worth $3.80 billion, followed by Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Poland. The Netherlands recorded a 23.15 percent rise in imports, while France, Sweden and Denmark also posted solid growth. The United Kingdom, a traditional stronghold for Bangladeshi garments, imported $3.36 billion worth of products — 11.10 percent of total exports. However, growth in the UK market remained modest at 4.14 percent.
Exports to non-traditional markets grew by 6.66 percent, reaching $5.12 billion and making up 16.93 percent of total RMG shipments. Japan led this category with imports valued at $960.45 million, followed by Australia and India. Among other key destinations, Turkey imported $357.22 million worth of garments, while exports to Mexico stood at $251.22 million. Despite encouraging performances in several emerging markets, exports to Russia, South Korea, the UAE and Malaysia declined.
The fall in Russian demand is widely attributed to geopolitical tensions, while softer performances in the UAE, Malaysia and Korea indicate the need for renewed commercial engagement. By product type, knitwear exports grew by 11.22 percent, though gains in non-traditional markets slowed. Woven garments saw a 10.40 percent increase, buoyed by rising demand in less conventional markets even as growth in the UK remained subdued.
