Bangladesh’s Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector achieved an impressive 8.84 percent growth in exports during the fiscal year 2025, totaling US $ 39.35 billion despite ongoing global economic headwinds. Data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) highlights a resilient industry navigating complex international markets.
The European Union remained Bangladesh’s primary export destination, accounting for 50.10 percent of total RMG exports at US $ 19.71 billion, marking a 9.10 percent increase from the previous year. The United States followed with exports valued at US $ 7.54 billion, representing 19.18 percent of total exports and a significant 13.79 percent growth year-over-year. Other key markets included Canada (US $ 1.30 billion, up 12.07%) and the UK (US $ 4.35 billion, up 3.68%).
Within the EU, Germany led as the largest market with exports worth US $ 4.95 billion, followed by Spain, France, the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, and Denmark. Notably, several EU countries experienced high growth rates, such as the Netherlands (21.21%), Sweden (16.41%), Poland (9.77%), and Germany (9.47%).
Bangladesh also saw a 5.61 percent rise in exports to non-traditional markets, totaling US $ 6.44 billion, which now holds a 16% share of the country’s apparel exports. Markets like Japan, Australia, and India led this category, with respective growth rates of 9.13%, 25.62%, and 17.39%. Conversely, exports to Russia, Korea, the UAE, and Malaysia declined.
The apparel industry’s knitwear sector grew by 9.73 percent, while the woven sector increased by 7.82 percent, reflecting ongoing diversification and product innovation. Industry insiders emphasize that despite the pandemic’s disruptions, Bangladesh’s exports remain robust in traditional markets, which constitute 84% of total exports.
The global apparel market reached approximately US $ 500 billion in 2024, with non-traditional markets comprising around US $ 150 billion. Bangladesh currently holds a 6 percent share of this segment, with significant growth potential. In 2024, Bangladesh contributed 5.50 percent to Japan’s total imports and 11.53% to Australia’s, indicating promising avenues for expansion.
As Bangladesh’s RMG industry continues to adapt and grow, industry leaders advocate for strategic innovation and diversification to ensure sustained success amid fluctuating global demands.
