Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports have maintained growth amid global market volatility driven by Middle East and Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Data released by the Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on October 1 shows that RMG exports reached $10.58 billion in July-September of fiscal year 2026-27, up 6.10% from $9.97 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Among them, knitwear exports grew 6.88% to $5.96 billion, while woven garment exports rose 5.11% to $4.61 billion.

Key Points

  • Bangladesh's RMG exports reached $10.58 billion in July-September of FY2026-27, up 6.10% year-on-year; September alone saw exports of $3.08 billion, up 8.56% year-on-year.
  • In August 2026, RMG exports to non-traditional markets reached $642.93 million, the highest monthly figure on record, breaking a two-year stagnation in this segment.
  • RMG exports to the US in July-August totaled $1.61292 billion, up 11.42% year-on-year, already equivalent to 20.8% of the previous fiscal year's full-year total of $7.74461 billion.

In terms of monthly performance, RMG exports rose from $2.84 billion in September 2025 to $3.08 billion in September 2026, up 8.56% year-on-year. Knitwear grew 8.58% to $1.77 billion, while woven garments rose 8.54% to $1.31 billion, with both categories growing at nearly the same pace.

Non-traditional markets have become the main driver of this round of growth. EPB data shows that in August 2026, Bangladesh's RMG exports to non-traditional markets reached $642.93 million, the highest monthly figure on record for this segment. The average monthly export value to non-traditional markets also rose from $574.38 million in FY2025-26 to $611.60 million so far this fiscal year; their share of total exports correspondingly increased from 15.93% to 16.32%. Bangladesh's non-traditional markets refer to all destinations outside the EU, US, Canada, and UK, mainly including Japan, Australia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Russia, Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Africa.

The US market has also strengthened. In July-August of FY2026-27, Bangladesh's RMG exports to the US totaled $1.61292 billion, up from $1.44760 billion in the same period last year, an increase of 11.42%. The average monthly export to the US so far this fiscal year is $806.46 million, significantly higher than the monthly average of $645.38 million corresponding to the previous fiscal year's full-year total of $7.74461 billion; however, this lead comes almost entirely from a 25.65% jump in August, while July was -0.18%. If the 11.42% year-on-year growth rate continues throughout the year, US exports for this fiscal year would be approximately $8.629 billion.

In terms of overall exports, EPB data shows that in July-August of FY2026-27, Bangladesh's RMG exports to the world reached $7.49561 billion, up 5.12% year-on-year, compared with $7.13067 billion in the same period last year. Knitwear grew faster than woven garments, with the former rising 6.17% to $4.19376 billion and the latter growing 3.81% to $3.30185 billion.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have repeatedly called on the government to provide policy support, arguing that with the right policies, exports could grow further and drive the national economy.

For the used clothing and textile trade in the region, Bangladesh's production capacity and export trends as a major global garment supplier directly affect raw material procurement pace, inventory levels, and the supply structure of the second-hand clothing market; its continued volume growth to the US and non-traditional markets also means the international circulation pattern of related categories is still expanding.

Source: Bangladesh's RMG exports increase amid volatile world market · Originally published on 2026-10-02