Dhaka: Bangladesh’s merchandise exports experienced significant growth of 13.14 percent year-on-year, reaching US$4.43 billion in August, up from $3.92 billion in the same month last year.
According to United News of Bangladesh, data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) highlighted that exports for the first two months of the fiscal year 2026-27 also saw a rise of 5.43 percent, amounting to $9.16 billion compared to $8.69 billion during the same period in the previous fiscal year.
The ready-made garment (RMG) sector continued to be the primary catalyst for this export growth, with earnings increasing by 13.92 percent year-on-year to $3.89 billion in August. For the July-August period, RMG exports grew by 5.12 percent to $7.50 billion.
Both major apparel segments demonstrated robust growth in August. Knitwear exports surged by 14.88 percent, leading to a cumulative growth of 6.17 percent for July-August, while woven garment exports increased by 12.70 percent, contributing to a cumulative growth of 3.81 percent.
In addition to RMG, several non-RMG sectors achieved double-digit growth in August, reinforcing efforts to expand Bangladesh’s export base. Jute and jute goods exports rose by 37.09 percent in August and 22.26 percent during July-August. The pharmaceuticals sector saw a remarkable increase of 28.52 percent in August and 38.94 percent cumulatively.
The leather and leather goods sector posted a 24.85 percent rise in August, while printed materials grew by 24.83 percent, with cumulative growth reaching 41.89 percent. Engineering products exports increased by 23.88 percent, and other footwear exports rose by 15.29 percent, resulting in cumulative growth of 27.32 percent.
The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export market, with exports to the country increasing by 26.09 percent in August and 11.90 percent during July-August. The United Kingdom reclaimed its position as the second-largest export destination, followed by Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Among emerging markets, exports to Trkiye surged by an impressive 141.03 percent, while exports to the Republic of Korea and Saudi Arabia grew by 42.37 percent and 42.09 percent, respectively.
The growth in export earnings is attributed to stronger demand in key international markets, improved buyer confidence, expanded production capacity, increased shipments of value-added products, and efforts to diversify export destinations.