Bangladesh’s merchandise exports declined 0.9 percent year-on-year in July, the first month of the 2026-27 fiscal year, as slower shipments of readymade garments (RMG) weighed on overall export earnings despite a strong recovery from the previous month.
Data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Monday showed export receipts stood at US$4.72 billion in July, down from US$4.77 billion in the same month a year earlier. However, exports rose 12.49 percent from June’s US$4.20 billion, reflecting stronger seasonal demand.
The country’s largest export-earning sector, readymade garments, generated US$3.88 billion in July, accounting for more than 82 percent of total merchandise exports.
Although RMG exports increased 14.73 percent from June’s US$3.38 billion, they were 1.92 percent lower than the US$3.96 billion earned in July last year.
Within the apparel sector, knitwear exports fell 0.9 percent year-on-year to US$1.84 billion from US$1.87 billion, while woven garment exports declined 3.16 percent to US$1.54 billion.
The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination during the month, with shipments rising marginally by 0.25 percent year-on-year to US$918.74 million.
Germany was the second-largest market, importing Bangladeshi goods worth US$495.30 million, followed by the United Kingdom with imports of US$478.42 million.
Among Bangladesh’s major export destinations, India and Saudi Arabia posted the strongest growth, with exports increasing 15.30 percent and 10.64 percent, respectively.
The EPB attributed the month-on-month rebound to a recovery in garment exports and expressed optimism that Bangladesh would benefit from autumn and year-end festive season orders in key international markets.
Exporters are also seeking to offset the annual decline by diversifying product lines and expanding into non-traditional markets, while policymakers remain hopeful of achieving the export target set for the current fiscal year despite the subdued start.