Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports to its five largest non-traditional markets grew 9.62% year-on-year in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July-September), reaching $1.03 billion, or 56.58% of the $1.81 billion total exports to non-traditional markets. According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, combined exports to these five countries stood at $935.3 million in the same period last year.

Key points

  • The five markets are Japan, Australia, India, Turkey and South Korea, with combined first-quarter exports of $1.03 billion, up 9.62% year-on-year
  • Turkey grew fastest, up 123.14% to $146.63 million, contributing about 90% of the increase among the top five markets
  • India was the only market to contract, down 5.37% to $204.96 million; Japan led with $343.65 million

Performance by market

Among the five markets, Japan was the largest destination, with exports of $343.65 million, up 2.61% year-on-year, accounting for 18.97% of exports to non-traditional markets. Australia ranked second with $209.06 million, up 1.02%. India ranked third with $204.96 million, down 5.37%, the only country among the top five to record negative growth.

Turkey was the standout performer, with exports more than doubling from $65.71 million to $146.63 million, a rise of 123.14%. Turkey alone added $80.92 million, equivalent to about 90% of the combined increase of the top five markets. Excluding Turkey, the other four countries grew just 1.04% combined.

Exports to South Korea reached $120.94 million, up 8.81%.

September shows stronger momentum

In September, exports to the top five markets rose to $345.2 million from $295.63 million a year earlier, up 16.77% year-on-year. Turkey grew 224.93% to $46.65 million, South Korea rose 37.88% to $44.55 million, and Japan increased 5.19% to $116.47 million. India fell 0.86% and Australia edged down 0.14%.

Industry figures call for diversifying market risk

Mohiuddin Rubel, a former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV), told BSS in an interview that Bangladesh needs to expand its export share in non-traditional markets to reduce dependence on traditional destinations and achieve product diversification and higher value-added exports.

He noted that Bangladesh's export share and growth in non-traditional markets had both increased compared with a year earlier, underscoring the importance of strengthening its position in these markets. "Our dependence on traditional markets, especially Europe and the US, is so high that if something goes wrong in these markets, we have very limited options," Rubel said.

He argued that a considerable share of global exports goes to markets beyond traditional destinations, leaving Bangladesh with considerable room to broaden its export base, and named Japan, India, Australia and South Korea as RMG export markets with significant potential. Rubel stressed that expanding the non-traditional market footprint is not only about increasing export earnings but also about enhancing the capabilities of the garment industry and supporting the shift toward higher value-added production.

Source: Apparel exports to 5 non-traditional markets rise 9.62% | | Bangladesh Pratidin · Originally published 2026-10-13