Bangladesh continued to reinforce its position as one of the European Union’s key apparel suppliers even as competition in the bloc intensified and prices declined across major sourcing countries.
Eurostat figures show that EU apparel imports grew 7.14 percent year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025 to €68.47 billion, largely driven by a 13.80 percent rise in import volumes. Average unit prices, however, fell 5.86 percent, signalling strong consumer demand paired with fierce price pressure across suppliers.
Bangladesh exported €15.26 billion worth of apparel to the EU during January–September, up 13.17 percent from €13.48 billion a year earlier. The increase was driven by a 15.55 percent rise in export volume, while unit prices dipped 2.06 percent—a sign that Bangladesh expanded its share through competitive pricing strategies at a time when buyers are aggressively pushing for lower costs.
The Export Promotion Bureau’s latest data further reflects this resilience. During July–October of FY 2025–26, Bangladesh’s RMG exports amounted to $12.99 billion, registering 1.40 percent year-on-year growth. The EU remained the dominant market, accounting for 48.17 percent of total RMG exports, with earnings reaching $6.26 billion during the period—up 0.46 percent year-on-year. The United States retained its position as the second-largest destination, with shipments rising 5.14 percent to $2.59 billion. Canada and the United Kingdom also posted growth of 10.84 percent and 2.72 percent, respectively.
The knitwear category recorded modest growth of 0.42 percent, while woven products saw stronger momentum with a 2.66 percent rise. However, exports to non-traditional markets declined 2.69 percent, indicating the need for renewed diversification efforts.
Other major Asian suppliers—China, India, Pakistan and Cambodia—also posted volume-driven growth, intensifying competition. China shipped €19.77 billion worth of apparel, up 9.86 percent, with a 17 percent jump in volume and a 6.10 percent drop in prices. Cambodia recorded the strongest surge among top suppliers, with exports rising 22.51 percent to €3.37 billion on the back of a 39.65 percent increase in volume and a steep 12.27 percent drop in unit prices, reflecting an aggressive repositioning strategy.
The broad-based decline in prices, industry insiders say, highlights the pressure manufacturers face in an inflation-driven environment where buyers continue prioritising cost. Former BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel said sustained price competition is forcing factories to operate under thinner margins.
In contrast to Asia’s gains, EU imports from Turkey fell 9.80 percent during the January–September period, underscoring shifting sourcing dynamics within the region.
