Earnings from shipment of apparel products declined in August 2014 compared to those of July 2014 despite having a 2.07 per cent growth in the country's overall export receipts.
Apparel manufacturers attributed the ongoing compliance and workplace safety issues after the Rana Plaza building collapse and recent political turmoil to the decline in garment products export.
The merchandise shipment from knit products stood at US$ 898.44 million in August 2014 compared to $ 1.30 billion in July 2014.
On the other hand, woven garments fetched $ 815.34 million in August while the amount was $ 1.21 billion in July 2014.
During the first two months of current fiscal year (FY), export earnings stood at $ 2.20 billion from knit items, showing a 4.97 per cent growth compared to that of July-August of 2013-14, according to official data released Sunday.
Woven garments fetched $2.02 billion during the same period marking a negative growth of 1.60 per cent compared to that of last fiscal.
However, both the sectors failed to achieve the targets by 2.08 per cent and 13.17 per cent respectively set for the period.
The overall merchandise shipments stood at $ 5.14 billion during July-August period of FY 2014-15 which also fell short of target by 9.16 per cent set for the period, it revealed.
On the other hand, the single month earnings in August 2014 grew by 7.25 per cent to $ 2.15 billion. But the receipts fell short of target by 17.46 per cent.
Former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Hoque attributed the last Eid holidays to the declining trend in export earnings in August.
Moreover, buyers are placing fewer orders in recent months, he said adding that they are now developing alternative sources beyond Bangladesh though the shift is not at a larger scale.
He also attributed the tragic incidents especially the Rana Plaza collapse and recent political turmoil to the declining trend in orders.
However, another manufacturer explained that buyers are waiting for December next when the garment factory assessment programmes are expected to be completed.
"Buyers are placing fewer orders and waiting for the completion of factory inspection as they favoured placing orders in compliant ones especially after the Tazreen and Rana Plaza incidents."
But he expressed his hope that the situation would better after December as all are working to ensure a safe workplace in the country's garment industry. Earnings from jute and jute goods stood at $115.95 million in July-August, showing an 11.27 per cent negative growth. The earnings also fell short of target by over 18 per cent.
Frozen food exports grew by 3.59 per cent but missed the target by 1.97 per cent. Leather and leather products fetched $202.26 million but fell short of target by 15.10 per cent.
Agricultural products and handicrafts export witnessed 14.31 per cent and 15.45 per cent growth respectively in July-August period of the current fiscal.
