EU apparel imports fall; Bangladesh mixed — up in June, down for half-year

The EU's apparel imports from the world fell 9.70 percent in January-June 2026, to €41.10 billion, according to Eurostat data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice.

Both the amount imported (down 6.40 percent) and the average price (down 3.53 percent) fell.

Meanwhile, the data showed in June alone looked Bangladesh's apparel export looked better. It showed the exports rose 0.87 percent to €1.37 billion in this period, as the country shipped 6.53 percent more goods, even though prices fell 5.31 percent.

Meanwhile, over the full six months, the picture was weaker — exports fell 16.43 percent to €8.64 billion, hit by both lower volume (down 8.22 percent) and lower prices (down 8.94 percent).

Other major suppliers also fell: China (-8.88%), Turkey (-14.60%), India (-12.49%), Pakistan (-12.53%), Sri Lanka (-11.21%), and Cambodia (-8.84%). Only Vietnam grew, up 0.36 percent.

It shipped 11.52 percent less, but raised prices by 13.43 percent — the biggest price increase of any major supplier — which was enough to offset the lower volume. Indonesia and Cambodia also raised prices, but their volumes fell too sharply to turn that into growth.

Mohiuddin Rubel, Founder & CEO - Bangladesh Apparel Voice, told Asia Post, "For Bangladesh, June alone looked better: exports rose 0.87 percent to €1.37 billion, as the country shipped 6.53 percent more goods, even though prices fell 5.31 percent."

He said, "But over the full six months, the picture was weaker — exports fell 16.43 percent to €8.64 billion, hit by both lower volume (down 8.22 percent) and lower prices (down 8.94 percent)."