Dhaka, Nov 5:   Bangladesh’s garment exports continued to decline for the third consecutive month, marking a sharper drop compared with last year, as the apparel sector faces tariff pressures, falling orders, and stiff competition from regional rivals.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), apparel exports fell:

• August: 4.75% decline

• September: 5.66% decline

• October: 8.39% decline

Overall export earnings also dropped over the same period:

• August: down 2.93%

• September: down 4.61%

• October: down 7.43%

In October, Bangladesh earned $3.02 billion from garment exports, compared to $3.30 billion in October last year — a loss of $280 million. September exports were $2.84 billion, down from $3.01 billion, while August fell to $3.16 billion from $3.25 billion.

🔹 Sectoral Breakdown

• Woven garments: fell 5.33% to $1.36 billion in October (from $1.43 billion last year)

• Knitwear: declined 10.76% in October

• September saw woven exports drop 5.54% and knitwear 5.75%

• August: woven down 2.65%, knitwear 6.34%

🔹 Causes and Market Pressures

Exporters cite several factors behind the slowdown:

• US tariff impacts have prompted many global buyers to halt new orders.

• Declining purchasing power among buyers, who now order smaller quantities — sometimes half of previous orders.

• Intensified regional competition from India and China, which are increasing exports to non-US markets and offering lower prices in Europe.

Kazi Mizanur Rahman, BGMEA director, noted:

“US tariffs have significantly hurt our apparel exports. Buyers are purchasing half the quantity they used to, and India and China are targeting our European markets at lower prices.”

Mohammad Rashed, BKMEA vice-president, added:

“The industry is going through a difficult time. Overall uncertainty in the country has made international buyers hesitant to place new orders. The situation may worsen in the coming months.”

Industry insiders expect the slowdown to persist for another 2–3 months, but hope that order flows may recover once international buyers adjust to the new tariff structures.

The trend underscores ongoing challenges for Bangladesh’s export-reliant economy, highlighting the need for tariff negotiation strategies, market diversification, and production efficiency improvements.