Exports have declined for five consecutive months. Bangladesh's export earnings in December 2025 decreased by 14.25 per cent to $3.89 billion, compared to $4.62 billion in the same period in 2024.
According to data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Sunday, Bangladesh's export earnings in December 2025 decreased by 14.25 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
However, the overall picture shows that in the first six months of the 2025-26 fiscal year (July-December), the country's total export earnings stood at US$ 23,998.87 million, which is 2.19 per cent less than the US$ 24,533.50 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Exporters say foreign buyers are reducing orders due to national election-centric situation. In addition, orders there are falling due to additional tariffs in the United States. Along with this, Bangladesh's buyers orders are also decreasing as Chinese supplies to major European markets increase their supply.
Meanwhile, the EPB of Bangladesh reported that ready-made garment (RMG) exports totaled $19.37 billion during July-December of FY 2025/26, marking -2.63 per cent year on year decrease versus the same period of FY 2024/25. Within this period, Knitwear exports reached $10.49 billion (-3.22per cent YoY), while Woven exports totaled $8.88 billion (-1.91per cent YoY).
For December 2025 alone, RMG exports stood at $3.23 billion, reflecting an -14.23per cent decline compared to December 2024. By category, Knitwear posted $1.63 billion (-13.74 per cent YoY) and Woven reached $1.60 billion (-14.71 per cent YoY).
More than 80 per cent of Bangladesh's total exports come from the ready-made garment sector. As a result, a decline in exports from this sector affects overall exports. Ready-made garment exports have declined for four consecutive months from August to November.
Exporters from various sectors are concerned about the five consecutive months of decline in exports.
President of BGMEA Mahmud Hasan Khan said the rate of factory closures has increased due to the government's many policy mistakes. In addition, he fears exports will decrease further due to political instability.
He said during every election time, buyers deliberately reduce orders; because they remained concerned about whether or not their orders will be delivered properly.
According to them, sales have decreased due to the increase in product prices in the US market due to US retaliatory tariffs. Purchase orders from the country are not coming as expected. On the other hand, as the US has imposed high retaliatory tariffs on China and India, entrepreneurs from those two countries are offering products to European Union (EU) buyers at lower prices. This is putting Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the midst of fierce competition.
Many factories are unable to export directly due to the lack of support from banks, said Fazlul Haque, managing director of Plumi Fashions in Narayanganj.
He said that genuine traders must be supported within the rules to survive in the global market. Otherwise, there will be a crisis of confidence among foreign buyers.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the knitwear industry owners' association BKMEA, said, "The governments of competing countries are taking various initiatives to survive in the current volatile global market. For example, the Indian government has announced an aid of Rs 4.5 billion to protect its export sector from the impact of US counter-tariffs.
However, Bangladesh is walking the opposite path. The facilities that were there are also being withdrawn due to fear of LDCs and IMF. As a result, competitors are moving forward, and we are falling behind."
Economists say export crisis will intensify if market and product diversity are not increased. Dr Mahfuz Kabir said, the quality of Leather City in Savar need to be further improved. Its Central Effluent Treatment Plant must be made more effective.
