Dhaka:Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports to the European Union (EU) experienced a slight increase of 2.79% during the July-October period of the fiscal year FY2026-27, reaching $6.43 billion. This growth is a rise from the $6.26 billion recorded in the same period the previous year, as per data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV).
According to United News of Bangladesh, the growth in RMG exports was primarily driven by Spain, which accounted for nearly all of the expansion. Exports to Spain surged by 13.36%, reaching $1.448 billion, an increase of $170.6 million, which comprises about 98% of the EU's total gain of $174.5 million. As a result, Spain now commands a 22.51% share of Bangladesh's total EU apparel exports, overtaking Germany.
Germany, previously Bangladesh's leading single market within the EU, showed minimal growth, increasing by only 0.01% to $1.439 billion, maintaining a 22.37% market share. Other European countries such as the Netherlands and Poland saw growth in exports, with increases of 8.68% to $784.6 million and 2.85% to $545.9 million, respectively. In contrast, exports to France dropped by 7.87% to $611.1 million, and shipments to other EU countries combined decreased by 1.34% to $1.60 billion. During this period, the top five markets constituted 75.1% of Bangladesh's total EU apparel exports.
For October alone, RMG exports to the EU rose by 1.10% to $1.53 billion. Germany remained the largest single market for the month at $315.7 million, a slight 0.59% increase, closely followed by Spain at $299.2 million, marking an 11.95% increase. The Netherlands also grew by 7.62% to $187.1 million, while France and Poland experienced declines of 15.22% and 4.49%, respectively.
Market analysts noted that the EU growth is currently quite narrow, with Spain's performance being a significant factor. Without Spain's robust growth, Bangladesh's overall apparel exports to the EU would have remained flat, impacted by Germany's stagnation and France's decline.