RMG exports to emerging markets grow 9.3%

Readymade garment (RMG) exports to non-traditional markets grew by 9.30% in the first four months of the current fiscal 2026-27, reflecting the country’s efforts to diversify its export destinations.

Export earnings from these markets reached US$2.37 billion during July-October, up from $2.17 billion in the same period last fiscal year, according to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Turkey, Japan, Australia and South Korea remained key destinations, with Turkey recording the strongest growth as shipments to the country more than doubled.

According to EPB data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV), RMG exports to Turkey surged by 107.05% to $206.5 million during July-October, compared with $99.7 million a year earlier.

The increase of $106.8 million accounted for around 53% of the total growth in RMG exports to non-traditional markets.

Turkey’s share of Bangladesh’s RMG exports to these markets also rose sharply to 8.71%, up from 4.60% in the corresponding period last year.

Japan remained Bangladesh’s largest non-traditional RMG export destination, with shipments reaching $437.3 million, up 2.40% year-on-year.

The country accounted for 18.44% of Bangladesh’s total RMG exports to non-traditional markets during the period.

Exports to Australia increased by 3.01% to $264 million, while shipments to South Korea rose by 5.82% to $151.3 million.

In contrast, RMG exports to India declined by 5.38% to $250.9 million.

Exports to destinations outside the five largest non-traditional markets also maintained positive growth, rising by 8.48% to $1.06 billion. These markets accounted for 44.76% of total RMG exports to non-traditional destinations.

The upward trend continued in October, when RMG exports to non-traditional markets increased by 8.99% year-on-year to $559.7 million.

During the month, exports to Turkey surged by 75.96% to $59.8 million, making it Bangladesh’s second-largest non-traditional RMG export destination after Japan.

Shipments to Japan reached $93.7 million in October, up 1.64% from the same month last year, while exports to Australia increased by 11.32% to $55 million.

However, exports to India declined by 5.41% to $45.9 million, while shipments to South Korea fell by 4.60% to $30.4 million.

Industry insiders said expanding exports to non-traditional markets would be crucial to strengthening the long-term competitiveness of Bangladesh’s garment sector.

They said sustained growth in emerging destinations such as Japan and Turkey, alongside increased shipments to other markets, could help reduce the country’s dependence on a limited number of traditional export destinations.

Greater market diversification would also help Bangladesh maintain its competitiveness in global apparel trade following graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category, they added.