Bangladesh's merchandise exports fell 2.93 per cent year on year (YoY) to US$3.91 billion in August 2025, down from $4.03 billion in August last year, signalling early signs of strain, according to data released Tuesday by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
The monthly decline came despite a strong start to the fiscal year (FY), with exports posting robust double-digit growth of around 25 per cent in July 2025, when earnings reached $4.77 billion.
Overall, exports grew 10.61 per cent year-on-year to $8.68 billion during the first two months of FY26.
According to EPB data, readymade garments (RMG) accounted for $3.16 billion of August's total earnings, down 4.75 per cent compared to August 2024. Within the RMG segment, knitwear exports fell 6.34 per cent to $1.77 billion, while woven garments decreased 2.65 per cent to $1.39 billion.
Despite the monthly decline, the RMG sector still recorded a 9.63 per cent year-on-year growth during July-August FY26, earning $7.13 billion, up from $6.50 billion in the same period last year.
EPB noted that while the strong performance in July reflects resilience, the slowdown in August highlights challenges for Bangladesh's export sector amid fluctuating global demand and evolving market dynamics.
Fazlee Shamim Eshan, executive director of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said the August 2024 comparison may have influenced the apparent decline, as many factories were closed for at least 10 days that year.
He added that factory closures in Ashulia during August and September 2025 also contributed to slower earnings last month. "We had fewer work orders, especially from the European Union."
Exporters also cited advanced shipments in July to avoid potential higher US tariffs under the Trump administration, which impacted August's performance.
Other sectors showed mixed results.
Home textile exports rose 12.68 per cent during July-August to $139.02 million.
Leather and leather products earned $228.76 million, up 13.68 per cent year-on-year, though leather footwear exports fell 11.18 per cent in August, reflecting pricing and competitiveness challenges in international markets.
The agricultural sector saw a 3.96 per cent growth, with vegetable exports surging 58.13 per cent to $174.67 million during the first two months of the fiscal year.
Jute and jute goods exports rose 6.96 per cent to $118.56?million, while frozen and live fish exports jumped 32.45 per cent to $81.55?million. Pharmaceutical exports also grew strongly, up 26.12 per cent to $36.46?million.
munni_fe@yahoo.com
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