Apparel exports to EU fall significantly amid market contraction

Bangladesh’s garment exports to the European Union (EU) experienced a sharp 16.43 percent decline in the first half (H1) of 2026, falling to 8.64 billion euro amid an overall market contraction in European apparel imports.

The downturn in Bangladeshi shipments was driven by both reduced shipment volumes�"which fell 8.22 percent�"and lower average prices, which dropped 8.94 percent during the January�"June period.

Despite the weak half-yearly performance, Bangladesh recorded a slight recovery in June alone, with exports to the EU edging up 0.87 percent to 1.37 billion euro. The monthly gain was supported by a 6.53 percent increase in shipment volumes, which helped offset a 5.31 percent drop in prices.

Overall EU apparel imports from around the world declined by 9.70 percent in H1 2026 to 41.10 billion euro, down from weaker consumer demand and softer pricing across the trading bloc. Total import volumes into the EU dropped 6.40 percent, while the average unit price fell 3.53 percent.

According to Eurostat data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV) founder and CEO Mohiuddin Rubel, most major garment-exporting nations faced severe declines in the EU market during the period: Turkey: Down 14.60 percent. India: Down 12.49 percent. Pakistan: Down 12.53 percent. Sri Lanka: Down 11.21 percent. China: Down 8.88 percent. Cambodia: Down 8.84 percent. 

Vietnam was the only major global supplier to maintain positive export growth to the EU in H1 2026, posting a 0.36 percent increase. While Vietnam’s export volume fell 11.52 percent, a 13.43 percent increase in its average unit prices�"the highest price jump among all major suppliers�"enabled the country to absorb volume losses and secure overall growth.

While Indonesia and Cambodia also raised unit prices, steep drops in shipment volumes prevented both nations from achieving net positive export growth.�"UNB