Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh’s garment exports dropped 11.92percent quarter-on-quarter to $9.11 billion in April-June of FY2024-25, central bank data shows. Despite the quarterly setback, the figure stood 3.15percent higher than the same period last year.
The Bangladesh Bank report pointed to several headwinds weighing on the readymade garment sector. Chief among them was the United States’ announcement of a 35percent countervailing duty on Bangladeshi apparel. Though the tariff is not yet in force, the news triggered uncertainty, prompting some buyers to postpone orders.
Adding to the strain, India’s restrictions on garment imports via land routes disrupted logistics and constrained access to a key regional market. The sector was further hit by a two-month agitation from May 14 by National Board of Revenue officials, which slowed customs clearance, delayed shipments, and jeopardized timely deliveries.
Global economic softness, higher domestic production costs, and a lack of export market diversification compounded the pressure.
The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, and Belgium remained the top buyers, together accounting for $6.55 billion-71.89percent-of quarterly garment earnings.
In net terms, after deducting raw material import costs, the sector generated $5.18 billion, or 56.78percent of gross earnings, in the April-June period.
Despite the quarter’s decline, garments retained their role as Bangladesh’s economic mainstay. Full-year FY25 exports reached $39.35 billion, up 8.9percent year-on-year, driven by gains in both knitwear and woven shipments, according to the central bank.
