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Exports grow 6.34% to $13b in Jul-Sep
September earnings rise 8.54%; exporters call growth a positive sign
Bangladesh’s merchandise exports reached US$13.09 billion in the first quarter of the fiscal 2026-27, up 6.34% from $12.31 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data released on Thursday.
Export earnings also posted strong year-on-year growth in September, rising 8.54% to $3.94 billion from $3.63 billion in September 2025.
The ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which dominates Bangladesh’s export basket, maintained its growth during the July-September period.
RMG exports increased by 6.10% to $10.58 billion in the first three months of FY27, compared with $9.97 billion in the same period a year earlier.
In September alone, RMG exports grew 8.56% year-on-year, rising from $2.84 billion to around $3 billion.
Within the sector, knitwear exports increased by 6.88% during July-September, reaching $5.96 billion from $5.58 billion, while woven garment exports rose 5.11% to $4.61 billion from $4.39 billion.
In September, knitwear and woven garment exports recorded year-on-year growth of 8.58% and 8.54%, respectively, EPB data showed.
Several major non-RMG sectors also recorded strong growth during the period.
Leather and leather products posted 14.74% growth during July-September and 20.19% year-on-year growth in September.
Jute and jute goods exports increased by 31.55% during the first quarter, while September exports rose 22.72% year-on-year.
Light engineering exports grew 16.51% during July-September, while September exports increased by 3.76%.
Home textile exports recorded 11.94% growth during the first quarter and 13.52% year-on-year growth in September.
Pharmaceutical exports recorded particularly strong growth, rising 40.39% during July-September and 64.33% year-on-year in September.
Agricultural products and frozen and live fish, however, recorded negative growth during the period.
Among Bangladesh’s export destinations, the United States remained the single largest market, with exports rising 11.34% to $2.59 billion during July-September from $2.33 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
The United Kingdom remained the second-largest export destination, receiving $1.37 billion worth of Bangladeshi goods, while Germany ranked third with $1.23 billion.
Exports to Türkiye recorded the highest growth among major destinations, surging 100.11% to $210.54 million from $105.21 million.
India and Japan ranked sixth and ninth, respectively, among Bangladesh’s major export destinations, with both markets recording positive growth.
The EPB said the latest figures reflected the resilience of Bangladesh’s export sector and sustained demand from international buyers.
It said it would continue efforts to promote export diversification, market expansion, product upgrading and trade facilitation to sustain growth and achieve the country’s long-term export objectives.
‘A positive sign’
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Executive President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan described September’s export growth as a positive sign despite the fuel crisis that affected factories throughout August.
“Despite most factories struggling with the crisis, it is possible that this growth was driven by some factories that managed to achieve exceptionally high export volumes through their own efficiency and capabilities,” he said.
Former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) director Mohiuddin Rubel also welcomed the continued recovery in exports.
“It is encouraging that exports grew for the second month in a row, and both knit and woven are up. But much of September’s 8.56% growth comes from a low base, as September 2025 was a weak month at $2.84 billion,” he said.
Rubel said cumulative RMG export growth increased to 6.10% at the end of September from 5.12% at the end of August because September’s growth outpaced the July-August average, helping offset the impact of July’s decline.
“The trend is positive, but we need to keep it going and build on it to reach the target,” he added.