Bangladesh’s export earnings rose significantly in March 2025, buoyed by strong performance in the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector and a steady momentum in several non-traditional sectors.

According to the latest data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports in March reached $4.25 billion, marking an 11.44 percent increase compared to the same month last year.

This rise is consistent with the broader growth trend observed throughout the current fiscal year. Between July 2024 and March 2025, the country recorded total export earnings of $37.19 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 10.63 percent from $33.61 billion during the corresponding period in the previous fiscal.

At the core of this upward trajectory lies the RMG sector, which continues to be the principal driver of Bangladesh’s export economy. The sector accounted for $30.25 billion in exports during the first nine months of the fiscal year, representing a 10.84 percent increase compared to the previous year.

In March alone, RMG shipments totaled $3.45 billion, up from $3.07 billion in March 2024—registering an annual growth of 12.40 percent.

In a statement accompanying the data release, the EPB commended the country’s export sector’s performance, highlighting both the resilience of traditional sectors and the emerging contributions of non-traditional ones.

“Bangladesh’s export sector has demonstrated a commendable performance,” the agency noted, while also identifying areas of concern that require policy attention.

Outside the garment industry, several other sectors contributed positively to the overall export figures. Leather and leather goods maintained a notable growth pattern, indicating renewed interest in Bangladeshi leather products on the global market. Similarly, light engineering products continued to perform well, underscoring the potential for deeper industrial diversification.

Meanwhile, the home textiles and specialized textiles categories also recorded moderate growth, offering additional avenues for expanding the country’s export footprint. Non-leather footwear, another sector with potential for scaling up, posted positive results as well.

Despite these gains, the report flagged several areas where export performance has been underwhelming. Chief among them is the jute sector, which has historically been a significant contributor to Bangladesh’s exports but has lately experienced stagnation.

According to the EPB, growth in this sector remained largely flat during the reporting period.

The agricultural exports category, however, experienced a sharp decline of 25.72 percent year-on-year. This drop has raised questions about the sustainability of growth in this segment and pointed to the need for targeted policy interventions.