Apparel earnings improved, yet higher unit prices and a weak comparison base complicate the picture of recovering demand.
Bangladesh’s merchandise exports reached $3.94 billion in September 2026, up 8.54% year on year, according to Export Promotion Bureau figures. Garment shipments generated $3.08 billion, an increase of 8.56%. However, total export earnings fell 11.11% from August’s $4.42 billion, tempering the stronger annual comparison.
Knitwear leads the quarterly gain
In July–September, the opening quarter of fiscal 2026–27, merchandise exports increased 6.34% to $13.09 billion. Readymade garments contributed $10.58 billion, up 6.10% from $9.97 billion a year earlier.
Knitwear exports rose 6.88% to $5.96 billion, while woven garments increased 5.11% to $4.61 billion. Apparel therefore accounted for approximately 80.8% of merchandise earnings, calculated from the reported totals. September growth was closely matched across the two categories: 8.58% for knitwear and 8.54% for woven garments.
Higher earnings, incomplete order recovery
The improvement in export value does not necessarily indicate greater production volumes. Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, told The Daily Star that garment exports increased in value rather than volume.
He attributed part of September’s gain to higher yarn prices feeding into garment unit prices and weak exports a year earlier. International buyers were placing orders, he said, but order books had yet to recover fully.
Growth extends beyond clothing
Quarterly home-textile exports rose 11.94% to $231.29 million. Jute and jute goods increased 31.55% to $253.75 million, while leather and leather products grew 14.74% to $366.88 million.
The United States remained Bangladesh’s largest individual destination, taking $2.59 billion of merchandise during the quarter, up 11.34%. The United Kingdom followed at $1.37 billion and Germany at $1.22 billion.
The next test is whether higher receipts translate into sustained growth in shipment volumes. Energy availability, yarn costs and the pace of buyer orders will determine how broadly factories benefit; Hatem expects improving energy supplies to support a stronger apparel rebound.
