Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the European Union fell sharply in the first two months of 2026, dropping to €2.89 billion from €3.57 billion in the same period of 2025 — a decline of 19.26 per cent, according to Eurostat.
The broader EU apparel import market also contracted, shrinking 11.27 per cent to €13.83 billion, driven by a 6.23 per cent fall in import volume and a 5.38 per cent decline in average unit prices.
For Bangladesh, the decline was more pronounced. Export volume dropped 11.14 per cent while unit prices fell 9.13 per cent. February 2026 fared worse than February 2025, with export value down 12.39 per cent, volume down 3.30 per cent and unit prices falling 9.39 per cent.
Other major EU apparel suppliers also faced negative growth, though the extent varied. China, the EU’s largest supplier, saw exports fall 4.01 per cent to €4.20 billion, with unit prices down 5.27 per cent, offset by a marginal 1.34 per cent rise in volume.
Turkey’s exports dropped 22.91 per cent to €1.20 billion. Vietnam recorded a 2.06 per cent decline to €711.73 million but saw unit prices rise 6.56 per cent. India, Pakistan and Cambodia also posted negative growth.
Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the simultaneous drop in volume and unit prices across nearly all sourcing countries indicates a demand-driven contraction rather than country-specific issues.
However, Bangladesh’s sharper-than-average decline raises questions about competitiveness, buyer sentiment and order diversion, particularly amid post-LDC graduation pressures and global trade uncertainties.
Industry insiders noted that the data covers only the first two months of the year, reflecting order decisions made months earlier. Whether the trend reverses in subsequent months will be closely monitored by exporters and policymakers.
