Bangladesh’s export earnings fell for the fifth consecutive month in December, with shipments declining 14.25% year-on-year to $3.89 billion, according to Export Promotion Bureau data. The downturn was driven largely by the readymade garment sector, which accounts for about 85% of total exports and saw December shipments drop by more than 14%.
Overall exports during the July–December period slipped 2.19% to just under $24 billion. Industry leaders attribute the slowdown to weaker demand in the United States following higher reciprocal tariffs, alongside intensifying competition in the European Union as China and India expand market share through aggressive pricing.
Garment exports in December stood at $3.23 billion, down from $3.77 billion a year earlier, with both knitwear and woven garments posting declines. Small and medium-sized factories have been hit hardest, facing falling orders, squeezed margins and lower capacity utilization. Business leaders have called for cost-reduction measures and stronger policy support to restore competitiveness.
