Accra:Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports increased by 6.10 percent year-on-year in the first quarter (July-September) of the fiscal year 2026-27, reaching US$10.58 billion compared to US$9.97 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year, as reported by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, knitwear exports rose by 6.88 percent to US$5.96 billion, while woven exports grew by 5.11 percent to US$4.61 billion during the first quarter.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada showed significant market activity. The US, as the largest single-country market, imported US$2.22 billion, marking a 10.40 percent increase. The UK's imports increased by 5.94 percent to US$1.29 billion, and Canada's imports rose by 3.85 percent to US$349.65 million.
Non-traditional markets also demonstrated growth, with exports rising by 9.40 percent to US$1.81 billion. Turkey, Brazil, and the UAE were notable performers, with Turkey's exports more than doubling. Japan, the largest non-traditional market, saw a modest increase of 2.61 percent to US$343.65 million.
The European Union remained the largest destination bloc for Bangladeshi apparel, importing US$4.90 billion, a 3.33 percent increase. However, the EU's share of total apparel exports from Bangladesh slightly decreased.
Former BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel highlighted that despite the energy crisis and rising production costs, Bangladesh's apparel export growth remained encouraging. He noted that non-traditional markets and the United States showed stronger growth than the overall trend and emphasized the need for market diversification.
Rubel also stressed the importance of managing costs and focusing on high-quality products to ensure the long-term sustainability of the garment industry. He expressed optimism about continued growth, which could help the sector move closer to its annual targets.