Bangladesh’s RMG exports to non-traditional markets rise 9.30% to $2.37 billion

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports to non-traditional markets reached US$2.37 billion in July–October of FY2026-27. That is up 9.30% from $2.17 billion in the same period a year earlier, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV) and OTEXA data.

Turkey drives the growth

Exports to Turkey more than doubled, rising 107.05% to $206.5 million from $99.7 million. The $106.8 million increase accounts for about 53% of the total gain of $201.8 million in non-traditional markets. Turkey’s share of these markets nearly doubled, from 4.60% to 8.71%. Without Turkey, non-traditional exports would have grown about 4.6%.

Other top markets

Japan remained the largest non-traditional market at $437.3 million, up 2.40%, with an 18.44% share. Australia rose 3.01% to $264.0 million, and Korea rose 5.82% to $151.3 million. Exports to India fell 5.38% to $250.9 million. Markets outside the top five grew 8.48% to $1.06 billion, and they make up 44.76% of the total.

October alone

October exports to non-traditional markets rose 8.99% to $559.7 million. Turkey grew 75.96% to $59.8 million and was the second-largest market for the month, behind Japan at $93.7 million (+1.64%). Australia rose 11.32% to $55.0 million. India fell 5.41% to $45.9 million, and Korea fell 4.60% to $30.4 million.

Meanwhile, the total apparel exports also rose during the period in traditional market also.

The data showed, Bangladesh RMG exports rise 5.82% to $13.75 billion in July–October FY2026-27

When contacted, Bangaldesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) former Director Mohiuddin Rubel told Asia Post, "After a long declining of apparel exports due to Ukraine-Russia war and Middle East conflict, the RMGs demand is now gradually increased. The trend is now optimistic especially in Turkiye and the other non traditional merkets."

He said, the upcoming winter also played a role behind icreasing demand trend.

Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports reached US$13.75 billion in July–October of FY2026-27. That is up 5.82% from $12.99 billion in the same four months of FY2025-26, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV).

Knitwear grew faster than woven. Knit exports rose 6.79% to $7.73 billion, and woven exports rose 4.60% to $6.02 billion. Knit now makes up 56.2% of total RMG exports.

Where the growth came from

Exports rose by $756 million year on year. The United States added $262.9 million, about 35% of the increase. Non-traditional markets added $201.8 million (27%), the EU $174.5 million (23%), the UK $106.2 million (14%), and Canada $10.6 million.

Jul–Oct FY25-26 vs FY26-27 ($ million, growth, share of total in FY26-27):

* EU: 6,257.19 → 6,431.70 (+2.79%), 46.79%

* USA: 2,587.14 → 2,850.02 (+10.16%), 20.73%

* Non-traditional: 2,169.85 → 2,371.62 (+9.30%), 17.25%

* UK: 1,533.91 → 1,640.08 (+6.92%), 11.93%

* Canada: 442.28 → 452.92 (+2.41%), 3.29%

* Total: 12,990.36 → 13,746.35 (+5.82%)

United States

Exports to the US rose 10.16% to $2.85 billion, the fastest growth among the major markets. The US share of Bangladesh's RMG exports went up to 20.73% from 19.92%. Woven shipments to the US grew 10.22% to $1.75 billion, and knit shipments grew 10.06% to $1.10 billion. The US took 29.08% of all Bangladeshi woven exports in the period.

European Union

The EU remained the largest destination at $6.43 billion. But growth slowed to 2.79%, and the EU's share fell to 46.79% from 48.17%. EU knit exports rose 4.28%, while woven exports were almost flat at 0.29%.

Spain grew 13.36% to $1.448 billion and moved ahead of Germany as the largest single EU market. Exports to Germany were unchanged at $1.439 billion (0.01%). The Netherlands rose 8.68% to $784.6 million, Poland 2.85% to $545.9 million, and Sweden 10.59% to $240.1 million. Romania rose 45.28% to $68.8 million.

Several large EU buyers declined. France fell 7.87% to $611.1 million, Italy 4.29% to $439.4 million, Denmark 12.10% to $270.1 million, and Belgium 2.14% to $172.5 million.

United Kingdom and Canada

UK exports rose 6.92% to $1.64 billion. Knit exports to the UK grew 11.30% to $1.14 billion, while woven fell 1.78% to $504.0 million. Exports to Canada rose 2.41% to $452.9 million.

Market concentration

The EU and US together took 67.5% of RMG exports in July–October FY2026-27, compared with 68.1% a year earlier. The small shift came from slower EU growth and faster growth in non-traditional markets.