Bangladesh's RMG exports gain 10% to $26.7 bn in July-Feb FY25

Knitted garment exports marginally outpaced woven garment exports in growth. During the first eight months of the current fiscal, exports of knitwear (Chapter 61) rose by 11.01 per cent to $14.340 billion, compared to $12.917 billion in the corresponding period of fiscal 2023–24. On the other hand, woven apparel exports (Chapter 62) increased by 10.22 per cent, totalling $12.456 billion, compared to $11.301 billion during the same period in the previous fiscal, according to EPB data.

Home textile exports (Chapter 63, excluding 630510) experienced growth, increasing by 5.23 per cent to $577.99 million, compared to $549.25 million during the same period in the previous fiscal. Collectively, exports of woven and knitted apparel, clothing accessories, and home textiles constituted 83.09 per cent of Bangladesh’s total exports, amounting to $32.942 billion for the period.

Exports of cotton and cotton products, including yarn, waste, and fabrics (Chapter 52), rose by 11.30 per cent to $409.63 million during the period under review, compared to $368.03 million in the same period of the previous fiscal.

In February 2025, ready-made garment exports reached $3.244 billion, a 1.66 per cent rise from $3.191 billion in the same month of the previous year. Knitwear garment exports rose by 3.77 per cent to $1.652 billion, but woven garment exports decreased by 0.44 per cent to $1.591 billion in the same month. The outbound shipment of home textiles (Chapter 63, excluding 630510) declined by 0.23 per cent to $84.13 million in February 2025. Exports of cotton and cotton products fell by 6.96 per cent to $40.24 million from $43.25 million.

The new regime in Bangladesh had earlier revised export data downwards, according to which RMG exports from the country decreased by 5.22 per cent to $36.151 billion in fiscal 2023–24 (July 2023 to June 2024).

According to the EPB, RMG exports in fiscal 2022–23 amounted to $38.142 billion, compared to the previously reported figure of $46.991 billion. RMG exports were recorded at $42.613 billion in fiscal 2021–22 and $31.456 billion in fiscal 2020–21.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)