Exports earnings record 10.53pc growth in Jul-Feb period of FY’25

The country’s export earnings recorded a 10.53 per cent growth to fetch US$32.94 billion during the first eight months of the current fiscal year of 2024-25, fuelled by the performance of the readymade garment (RMG) sector.

According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data released on Tuesday, the country's export earnings were US $29.80 billion during the July-February period of last fiscal year.

The single-month export earnings in February 2025 also showed a 2.77 per cent year-on-year rise to US$3.97 billion compared to US$3.86 billion in February 2024, EPB data revealed.

However, the new format of data processing devised through the correction of past trade arithmetic didn't show the period's target.

Readymade garment (RMG) items, as usual, overwhelmingly dominated the export earnings by recording a 10.64 per cent growth in the July-February period.

The sector fetched US$26.79 billion against $24.21 billion during the corresponding period.

Knitwear subsector bagged US$$14.34 billion in an 11.01 per cent growth while woven garments saw an 10.22 per cent increase to US$12.45 billion in the last July-February period.

In February 2025, RMG exports stood at $3.24 billion, marking a growth of 1.66 per cent from the earnings in January 2024.

However, woven exports saw a slight dip in February 2025, decreasing by 0.44 per cent compared to February 2024, according to EPB data.

Meantime, home textiles recorded a 5.23 per cent growth to fetch US$ 577.99 million during the first eight months of the current fiscal, according to the EPB data.

Exports of jute and jute goods during the period under review amounted to US$547.88 million, registering a fall of 8.71 per cent.

Earnings from agricultural items like vegetables, fruits and dry foods registered a growth of 10.25 per cent to US$742.47 million during the last eight months.

Export earnings from engineering products increased by 7.48 per cent to $338.79 million.

Frozen and live fish exports increased by 14.45 per cent to $316.18 million.

The country received $757.50 million from the export of leather and leather goods in July-February, registering a growth of 8.48 per cent.

Pharmaceuticals fetched $145.46 million, registering a 7.11 per cent export growth.

Exports of footwear other than leather items also increased, by 32.85 per cent to $362.83 million.

The exports of plastic products posted a 22.25per cent growth, reaching $203.65 million.

Bangladesh in the last fiscal year bagged $44.46 billion in earnings from merchandise exports, again riding on readymade garments as potential of other sectors stayed stymied.

munni_fe@yahoo.com