Bangladesh’s exports fell 3% in August as shipments of readymade garments, the country’s largest export earner, declined, according to official data.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) figures show that exporters shipped goods worth $3.92 billion last month, compared with $4.03 billion a year earlier.

The dip follows a strong performance in July, when exports surged nearly 25% year-over-year to $4.77 billion, the highest monthly earnings since November 2022.

Despite the slowdown in August, overall exports rose nearly 11% year on year to $8.69bn in the first two months of the 2025–26 fiscal year.

The EPB stated that the August decline highlights the challenges facing the country’s exporters amid fluctuating global demand and shifting market conditions, even as early fiscal-year figures indicate resilience.

Readymade garments account for more than 80% of Bangladesh’s export receipts, making the sector particularly sensitive to changes in international consumption patterns and trade dynamics.

Industry observers attribute the monthly drop to both seasonal factors and uncertainty in global apparel markets. However, sustained growth in July suggests potential for recovery if demand strengthens in key destinations, such as the United States and Europe.