Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to the European Union (EU) posted the highest growth among major suppliers in the first four months of 2025, mirroring similar strong performance in the US market.
According to Eurostat data released recently, Bangladesh exported €7.54 billion worth of apparel to the EU during January–April 2025, registering a robust 25.3% year-on-year growth compared to the same period in 2024.
This performance not only reinforced Bangladesh’s position as the second-largest apparel exporter to the EU after China, but also marked the highest growth in value terms among all leading apparel-supplying countries—including China, India, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Turkey.
China retained the top position with exports worth €7.88 billion, reflecting a 23.5% increase during the same period. Other notable performers included:
Cambodia: +33.5% to €1.46 billion
Pakistan: +25.1% to €1.33 billion
India: +21.5% to €1.87 billion
Vietnam: +17.3% to €1.38 billion
Turkey: -4.0% to €2.91 billion
Exporters attributed Bangladesh’s strong showing to spillover orders from late 2024, early-season buying by European retailers, and preemptive shipments amid potential market and logistical uncertainties.
Mahmud Hasan Khan, the newly elected BGMEA President, described the growth as “satisfactory” and credited it to a shift in sourcing from China, sustained order flows, and the enhanced production capacity of local factories. However, he emphasized the need for improved logistical support, especially a stable gas supply, to sustain and scale this momentum.
Khan also raised concerns over value retention, noting that many factories operate on minimal or no margins. “We often don’t have clear data on value addition,” he said, pledging that the new BGMEA board will prioritize research on export retention and profitability metrics.
Overall, the EU’s total apparel imports grew 15.7% year-on-year to €30.42 billion, up from €26.29 billion in the same period last year.
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