Dhaka:Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports to non-traditional markets increased by 9.30 percent, reaching US$2.37 billion during the July-October period of FY2026-27, compared to $2.17 billion in the same timeframe the previous year.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV) indicates that this growth was largely driven by a significant rise in exports to Turkey, where exports more than doubled during the period. Exports to Turkey surged by 107.05 percent, amounting to $206.5 million from $99.7 million, thereby contributing $106.8 million to the overall export growth of $201.8 million across non-traditional markets.
Turkey alone contributed around 53 percent of the total increase, with its share of Bangladesh's RMG exports to non-traditional markets nearly doubling from 4.60 percent to 8.71 percent. Without Turkey's strong performance, the export growth across these markets would have been limited to around 4.6 percent.
Japan remained the largest market among the non-traditional destinations, with exports reaching $437.3 million, marking a 2.40 percent increase from the previous year. Japan accounted for 18.44 percent of the total exports to these markets. Exports to Australia rose by 3.01 percent to $264 million, while shipments to South Korea increased by 5.82 percent to $151.3 million. However, exports to India saw a decline of 5.38 percent, totaling $250.9 million.
Exports to destinations outside the top five rose by 8.48 percent to $1.06 billion, making up 44.76 percent of Bangladesh's total RMG exports to non-traditional markets.
In October alone, RMG exports to non-traditional markets increased by 8.99 percent to $559.7 million. Turkey continued its strong performance with exports rising 75.96 percent to $59.8 million, making it the second-largest destination for the month. Japan retained the top position with exports worth $93.7 million, registering a 1.64 percent year-on-year increase. Exports to Australia grew by 11.32 percent to $55 million, while shipments to India and South Korea declined by 5.41 percent and 4.60 percent, respectively, to $45.9 million and $30.4 million.