Bangladesh’s garment exports to non-traditional markets rose 9.3 per cent in the first four months of the 2026–27 fiscal year, but one destination did much of the heavy lifting – Turkey, where shipments more than doubled.
Exports to non-traditional markets reached $2.37 billion in July–October, up from $2.17 billion a year earlier, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV).
Shipments to Turkey surged 107.05 per cent to $206.46 million from $99.71 million, adding $106.75 million to the total increase of $201.77 million.
The country alone accounted for about 53 per cent of the growth in exports to these markets.
Turkey’s share of Bangladesh’s non-traditional export destinations nearly doubled to 8.71 per cent from 4.60 per cent.
Without Turkey, growth across the markets would have been about 4.6 per cent, showing how heavily the overall increase depended on the Turkish market, said BAV CEO Mohiuddin Rubel.
Japan remained the largest non-traditional destination, with exports rising 2.40 per cent to $437.30 million, or 18.44 per cent of the total. Shipments to Australia increased 3.01 per cent to $264.02 million, while exports to India fell 5.38 per cent to $250.88 million.
Exports to South Korea rose 5.82 per cent to $151.34 million. Markets outside the top five collectively generated $1.06 billion, up 8.48 per cent, accounting for 44.76 per cent of the total.
October figures also reflected the broader growth, with exports to non-traditional markets rising 8.99 per cent year on year to $559.72 million.
Turkey again stood out, with shipments jumping 75.96 per cent to $59.83 million, making it Bangladesh’s second-largest non-traditional market for the month, behind Japan.
Exports to Japan rose 1.64 per cent to $93.65 million, while Australia recorded an 11.32 per cent increase to $54.96 million.
Exports to India fell 5.41 per cent to $45.92 million, and shipments to South Korea declined 4.60 per cent to $30.40 million.
The figures show that non-traditional destinations are becoming a significant outlet for Bangladesh’s garment industry, said Rubel, also a former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.
“But Turkey’s contribution to the latest gains also highlights the concentration of growth in a single market, even as exports to destinations beyond the top five continue to expand,” he added.
