Bangladesh’s merchandise exports showed a remarkable increase of 17.72 per cent year-on-year in December, marking the fourth consecutive month of positive growth. This boost was predominantly fueled by a surge in readymade garment (RMG) shipments, according to provisional data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
In December, the country’s export earnings reached approximately US $ 4.63 billion, a significant rise from US $ 3.93 billion in the same month last year. For the first half of the current fiscal year, total export earnings grew by 12.84 per cent year-on-year, totaling US $ 24.53 billion, compared to US $ 21.74 billion during the same period the previous year.
The RMG sector, as Bangladesh’s primary export earner, contributed US $ 19.88 billion in the first half of the fiscal year, reflecting a 13.28 per cent growth and accounting for over 81 per cent of total export earnings. This figure represents an increase from US $ 17.55 billion in the previous year. Within the RMG sector, knitwear exports generated US $ 10.83 billion, while woven garment exports totaled US $ 9.05 billion.
In December alone, the apparel sector recorded a growth rate of 17.45 per cent. Knitwear exports accounted for US $ 1.89 billion, while woven garments contributed US $ 1.87 billion. RMG exporters attributed this growth to a recovery in major export destination economies and the stabilization of labour unrest in key industrial areas, which has led to the return of orders that had previously shifted to other countries.
Abdullah Hil Rakib, managing director of Team Group, noted that the export growth reflects an uptick in orders for Bangladesh, stating that all six of their manufacturing units are currently operating at full capacity. He emphasised that the increase in December exports was driven by demand related to the Christmas, Black Friday, New Year, Thanksgiving, and Boxing Day shopping seasons in Western markets.
Tanvir Ahmed, managing director of Envoy Textiles, reported their textile mill operated at 92 per cent capacity during the first quarter of the fiscal year, with full-capacity orders booked until mid-February and December operations running at 100 per cent. He also mentioned that strong projections from major buyers indicate continued full-capacity operations until the third quarter of the fiscal year. However, he cautioned that rising food inflation in Western markets has led buyers to seek lower prices.
In addition to the RMG sector, other export categories also performed well. Leather and leather goods saw a substantial 24.19 per cent increase, totaling US $ 110.90 million. Home textiles experienced a 20.47 per cent growth, reaching US $ 83.98 million, and jute and jute goods recorded a 1.47 per cent increase, amounting to US $ 75.69 million.
Overall, the robust growth in Bangladesh’s exports in December highlights the resilience of its key industries, particularly the readymade garment sector, in navigating challenges and meeting global demand.
