Bangladesh’s leading export sector, ready-made garments (RMG), recorded a growth of nearly 10% in the first two months (July and August) of the 2025-26 fiscal year, despite a decline in August alone.
According to data released on Tuesday, 2 September, by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), total garment exports during July and August stood at USD 7.13 billion, compared to USD 6.50 billion in the same period last year—marking a 9.63% year-on-year increase.
Breakdown of Exports (July–August 2025 vs July–August 2024)
| Category | FY 2024-25 (USD bn) | FY 2025-26 (USD bn) | Growth % |
| Knitwear | 3.62 | 3.95 | +9.11% |
| Woven Garments | 2.88 | 3.18 | +10.28% |
| Total RMG | 6.50 | 7.13 | +9.63% |
While the overall two-month figures showed robust growth, August exports declined compared to the same month last year.
- August 2024: USD 3.33 billion
- August 2025: USD 3.17 billion
- Change: –4.75%
Industry insiders attributed the decline to disruptions in trade negotiations following the counter-tariffs imposed by the United States, which led to temporary instability in export orders. However, they expressed optimism that export growth would recover in the coming months.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported garments worth USD 39.35 billion, an increase of 8.84% compared to USD 36.15 billion in 2023-24.
The downturn in August was not limited to garments. Total national exports across all sectors also fell year-on-year:
| August Exports | 2024 (USD bn) | 2025 (USD bn) | Change % |
| All Goods | 4.03 | 3.92 | –2.93% |
| Garments Only | 3.33 | 3.17 | –4.75% |
Thus, while the ready-made garment sector showed strong growth over the two-month period, the single-month dip in August highlighted ongoing global trade challenges that could continue to influence Bangladesh’s export performance in the short term.
