Bangladesh’s garment exports to its five largest non-traditional markets rose 9.62 per cent in the first quarter of FY2026-27, but nearly 90 per cent of the increase came from Turkey, highlighting the uneven pace of the country’s export diversification.
Shipments to Japan, Australia, India, Turkey and South Korea reached $1.03 billion during July–September, up from $935.30 million a year earlier, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Together, the five countries accounted for 56.58 per cent of Bangladesh’s $1.81 billion apparel exports to non-traditional markets during the quarter.
Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing destination, with exports more than doubling to $146.63 million from $65.71 million, a surge of 123.14 per cent.
The country alone contributed $80.92 million to the combined $89.94 million increase across the five markets. Excluding Turkey, shipments to the other four destinations grew just 1.04 per cent.
Japan remained Bangladesh’s largest non-traditional apparel market, with exports rising 2.61 per cent to $343.65 million, accounting for 18.97 per cent of total shipments to such destinations.
Australia ranked second at $209.06 million, up 1.02 per cent, followed by India at $204.96 million, down 5.37 per cent.
India was the only market among the top five to record a contraction, while South Korea posted 8.81 per cent growth to $120.94 million.
The divergence became more pronounced in September, when combined shipments to the five markets jumped 16.77 per cent to $345.20 million from $295.63 million a year earlier.
Turkey again led the expansion, with exports surging 224.93 per cent to $46.65 million, while South Korea recorded 37.88 per cent growth to $44.55 million.
Shipments to Japan increased 5.19 per cent to $116.47 million. India and Australia, however, registered declines of 0.86 per cent and 0.14 per cent, respectively.
The figures underscore both the opportunities and challenges facing Bangladesh as it seeks to reduce its dependence on traditional apparel destinations, particularly Europe and the United States.
Former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Mohiuddin Rubel said Bangladesh needed to strengthen its presence in non-traditional markets, diversify products and move towards higher-value exports.
“Our dependence on traditional markets, particularly Europe and the United States, has become so high that we have limited options when problems arise in those markets,” he said.
Rubel, also the founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, said export growth and market share in non-traditional destinations had improved compared with the same period last year.
A substantial share of global apparel trade took place outside Bangladesh’s traditional markets, leaving considerable room for expansion.
Rubel identified Japan, India, Australia and South Korea as promising destinations for Bangladeshi garments.
He argued that expanding into these markets should not be limited to increasing export earnings but should also strengthen manufacturers’ capabilities and support their transition towards higher-value production.
