Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the European Union (EU) declined by 11.67% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2026, as the country faced mounting pressure in one of its key export markets.
According to data from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical agency, Bangladesh exported garments worth €11.93 billion to the bloc between January and August, down €1.58 billion from the same period last year.
In contrast, China’s apparel exports to the EU increased by 2.38% to €19.71 billion, while Vietnam recorded a 4.46% rise to €3 billion.
The decline in Bangladesh’s exports was significantly steeper than the overall contraction in EU apparel imports. Total garment imports into the bloc fell by 3.83% year-on-year to €60.29 billion during the period.
Lower unit prices also contributed to the decline in Bangladesh’s export earnings. The average export value per kilogram of Bangladeshi garments dropped from €14.87 to €13.76, putting additional pressure on export revenues.
However, August offered a modest improvement. Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the EU rose by 0.72% compared with August 2025, supported by an increase in the average import price per kilogram.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), stressed the need for a clear strategy to protect Bangladesh’s position in international markets and discourage the sale of garments at unsustainably low prices.
He suggested requiring manufacturers to submit detailed production costs alongside consumption information when applying for Utilisation Declarations (UDs). Such measures, he said, could help prevent unfair competition among local manufacturers and ensure that Bangladeshi garments receive fair prices in global markets.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 20 Oct 2026, 10:37.
