Export declines for third consecutive month

The downward trend in merchandise exports has continued since the beginning of the current fiscal year 2025-26.
October also ended in line with that pattern, marking the third consecutive month of export decline.
Exporters attribute it for global demand weakened, Chinese exporters push to EU market lead to shrink Bangladesh's export, and buyers reduced orders ahead of the national election. Besides that, some local factors are also affected on the export growth.
According to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), export earnings in October fell by over 7 per cent compared to the same month last year - a drop of about $510 million.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country exported goods worth $3.82 billion in October of FY2025-26, down from $4.13 billion in the same month a year earlier.
Despite the monthly drop, exports in the first four months (July to October) of FY2024-25 were still 2.22 per cent higher on average than the same period a year earlier - largely because July exports jumped by 25 per cent year-on-year.
EPB data shows that the sharp fall in ready-made garment (RMG) exports largely drove the overall decline. However, compared to September, October apparel exports grew up 6.35 per cent.
Apparel exports in October fell by 8.39 per cent year-on-year to $3.02 billion, down from $3.30 billion a year earlier - a decrease of $280 million.
Talking with the FE, Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said that knitwear exports fell by over 10 per cent year-on-year in October , reflecting the real condition of the export sector - a trend that may continue in the coming months.
He pointed to gas and electricity shortages, as well as banking and customs-related challenges, as major obstacles to export growth.
He also observed that the US tariff policy has disrupted global apparel demand.

newsmanjasi@gmail.com