Bangladeshi export sector in the first 10 months (July–April) of the 2024–25 fiscal year, April saw a significant setback. According to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), export earnings in April amounted to only $3.01 billion — the lowest monthly figure in the current fiscal year.
Compared to the same period last year, this reflects a meager growth of just 0.86%. In contrast, March’s export income was $4.25 billion, indicating a sharp month-to-month decline of around $1.24 billion.
Analysts attribute this drop mainly to the long Eid-ul-Fitr holiday and the ongoing gas crisis in the industrial sector. Most factories, including those in the readymade garment (RMG) sector, were closed for one to one and a half weeks, disrupting production and directly impacting exports.
Slowdown in the RMG Sector
The RMG sector, the country’s top export earner, generated $32.64 billion over the past 10 months, reflecting a 10% year-on-year growth. However, in April alone, the sector earned $2.39 billion — only a 0.44% increase compared to the same month last year.
Segment-wise, knitwear exports grew by 5.08% in April, while woven garment exports declined by 4.65%. From July to April, knitwear exports rose by 10.74% ($17.46 billion) and woven garments by 9.17% ($15.18 billion).
Entrepreneurs View April’s Drop as a “Warning Signal”
Mohiuddin Rubel, Managing Director of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and former BGMEA director, commented, “Although the yearly growth is still positive, April’s performance is a warning signal. To stay competitive globally, we must ensure stability in production infrastructure and energy supply.”
Economists emphasized the need for long-term strategies to maintain supply chain consistency, uninterrupted gas and power supply to industries, and special measures for production continuity during festive seasons.
