RMG exports to EU fall 16.43pc in H1 2026

Bangladesh’s readymade garment exports to the European Union experienced a steep 16.43 percent drop in the first half of 2026, pulling total shipment value down to €8.64 billion amid an overall market contraction across the European trading bloc.

Drawing on two decades of tracking global trade cycles, this decline underscores how susceptible major export destinations remain to shifted consumer demand and pricing pressures.

Total Bangladeshi shipment volumes to the EU slipped by 8.22 percent, while average unit prices dropped 8.94 percent during the January to June period.

Despite the weak half-yearly performance, a modest uptick emerged in June alone.

Exports to the EU edged up 0.87 percent to €1.37 billion for the month, supported by a 6.53 percent surge in volume that helped offset a 5.31 percent price reduction.

Overall EU apparel imports from around the world contracted by 9.70 percent in the first half of 2026 to €41.10 billion, reflecting softer retail appetite across member states. Total import volumes into the EU dropped 6.40 percent, while the average unit price fell 3.53 percent.

Eurostat data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice founder and CEO Mohiuddin Rubel shows that virtually every major garment exporter faced notable headwinds in the European market during this period. Exports declined by 14.60 percent for Turkey, 12.49 percent for India, 12.53 percent for Pakistan, 11.21 percent for Sri Lanka, 8.88 percent for China, and 8.84 percent for Cambodia.

Vietnam stood out as the sole major global supplier to maintain positive export growth to the EU in the first half of 2026, posting a 0.36 percent increase. Although Vietnam’s export volume fell 11.52 percent, a 13.43 percent jump in its average unit prices-the highest price gain among all major suppliers enabled the country to absorb volume losses and secure overall growth.

While Indonesia and Cambodia also managed higher unit prices, steep drops in shipment volumes prevented both nations from achieving net positive export growth.

For Bangladesh, the path forward requires pivoting toward higher-value apparel to insulate margins against global price fluctuations rather than relying solely on volume.