TDS Desk:

Bangladesh exported goods worth around $4.41 billion in January 2026, down from $4.43 billion in January 2025. In value terms, exports in January 2026 declined by 0.50 percent year-on-year, according to a report and press release issued by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) on Monday (February 2).

Despite global economic headwinds, the EPB said overall export performance in January 2026 remained broadly stable. Exports during the month amounted to around $4.41 billion, significantly higher than the roughly $3.96 billion recorded in December 2025. As a result, month-on-month exports posted a double-digit growth of 11.22 percent.

During the July–January period of FY 2025–26, cumulative exports stood at roughly $28.41 billion, down from roughly $28.96 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. The decline reflects the impact of prevailing global trade conditions.

The ready-made garment (RMG) sector continued to maintain its strong and dominant position, the EPB said, with exports amounting to approximately $22.98 billion — an 11.77 percent increase compared with the same period a year earlier. This growth reflects sustained demand in global markets and the sector’s improved competitiveness.

Excluding RMG, the EPB identified the top six export sectors as leather and leather goods, jute and jute goods, agricultural and agro-processed products, home textiles, light engineering, and frozen fish. Performance across these sectors was mixed, with both positive and negative trends observed. Notably, leather and leather goods, jute and jute goods, home textiles, plastic and plastic products, and light engineering products recorded growth on both year-on-year and month-on-month bases.

According to the EPB, the United States remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination during July–January of FY 2025–26, with exports totalling approximately $5.21 billion. During this period, exports to the US grew by 1.64 percent year-on-year, 3.59 percent on an annual basis, and 2.24 percent month-on-month. Exports to the European Union (EU) and other key markets also showed signs of a positive turnaround.

Germany and the United Kingdom maintained their positions as the second- and third-largest export destinations, respectively. Exports to Germany stood at around $2.85 billion, while shipments to the UK amounted to around $2.77 billion, reaffirming Bangladesh’s strong trade ties with major global markets.