Bangladesh’s garment exports to non-traditional markets grew by 6.79 percent year-on-year to $6.04 billion in the July–May period of the outgoing fiscal year, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) compiled by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Non-traditional markets exclude key destinations such as the European Union, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Despite global uncertainties, including shipping disruptions and geopolitical tensions, several non-traditional markets registered significant growth.

Exports to India rose by 17.35 percent, Turkey by 31.75 percent, and Japan by 10.32 percent. However, shipments to Russia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia declined, indicating uneven performance across emerging destinations.

The European Union remained the largest buyer of Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG), accounting for 49.91 percent of total shipments, equivalent to $18.25 billion. The US was the second-largest market, with exports rising 19.23 percent to $7.03 billion. Canada and the UK followed with $1.20 billion and $4.04 billion, respectively.

Year-on-year, exports to the EU, US, and Canada rose by 10.46 percent, 15.97 percent, and 14.14 percent, while the UK saw a modest growth of 3.96 percent. Within the EU, Germany topped the list with imports worth $4.58 billion, followed by Spain at $3.16 billion and France at $2.00 billion.

Segment-wise, knitwear exports grew by 10.98 percent and woven garments by 9.30 percent, contributing to total RMG exports of $36.56 billion during the July–May period, reflecting an overall 10.20 percent year-on-year increase.