Bangladesh’s merchandise exports rebounded strongly in April, ending eight months of subdued performance, though concerns remain over the sustainability of the recovery.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), export earnings rose 32.92% year-on-year to $4.01 billion in April, up from $3.02 billion in the same month last year. Month-on-month, shipments also increased by 15.20% from $3.48 billion in March, marking one of the strongest recent gains.
The surge was largely driven by a recovery in ready-made garment (RMG) exports and improved buyer confidence following the national elections. Industry leaders also cited a low base effect, as exports in April last year were significantly impacted by extended Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
Despite the strong monthly performance, overall exports for the July–April period stood at $39.40 billion, down 2.02% from $40.21 billion a year earlier, indicating that recent gains have yet to fully offset earlier declines.
The RMG sector led the turnaround, with exports reaching $3.14 billion in April, up from $2.39 billion a year ago. However, cumulative earnings for the sector remain slightly below last year’s levels.
Industry insiders noted that part of April’s growth came from delayed shipments from March, when factory closures during Eid disrupted production. While seasonal demand and inventory restocking also supported exports, there is caution about the months ahead.
Exporters warned that upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East, may slow momentum in May and June. They suggest that a clearer picture of export trends will emerge by July.
