Like the United States, Bangladesh is also showing surprises in garment exports to the European market. In the first two months of the year 2025 (January-February), Bangladesh exported apparel worth $3.69 billion, according to the latest data from the European Union’s Statistical Office (Eurostat). This figure is 37.0 percent more than the same period last year.
This is the highest growth rate in two months in this market. Major competitors China, Vietnam, India and Pakistan are nowhere near Bangladesh’s growth. In January-February 2024, apparel exports to this market were worth $2.69 billion. However, the unit price decreased by 1.46 percent.
At the same time, there were significant changes in exports from other countries to the EU. Statistics show that China’s exports increased by 25.12 percent to $4.55 billion. In addition, India’s exports increased by 25.60 percent, Pakistan’s by 29.65 percent, and Cambodia’s exports increased by a maximum of 41 percent. However, Turkey’s exports decreased by 3.64 percent to $1.61 billion.
According to Eurostat data released on Saturday, EU companies imported apparel worth $16.09 billion from various countries in the first two months of 2025. This import is 17.81 percent more than the same period last year.
Bangladesh’s garment exports to the European market declined significantly towards the end of last year amid concerns and uncertainties, including factory closures due to worker dissatisfaction in the garment industry. There was a negative growth of 2.06 percent in the first nine months of 2024 (January-September). And that raised concerns among exporters.
However, exports increased in the last three months of the year (October-December) and the year ended with a growth of 5 percent. In 2024, a total of $19.77 billion worth of clothing was exported to European countries. In the previous year, i.e. 2023, the export figure was $18.85 billion.
Experts believe that Bangladesh’s garment exports are likely to continue to show positive momentum throughout the year. Buyers are becoming more focused on Bangladesh due to trade tensions with various countries, including the United States. As a result, there is a possibility of an increase in new orders this year.
