Apparel exports to EU jump 25.3pc in four months

The country's readymade garment (RMG) shipments to the European Union (EU) posted highest growth among its major competitors during the first four months of 2025, similar to the USA.

The apparel exports stood at 7.54 billion euros during the January-April period, marking a 25.3 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period of 2024, according to Eurostat data released on Friday.

The performance has not only helped Bangladesh secure its position as the second-largest apparel exporter to the EU after China but also recorded the highest growth in value terms among all major suppliers, including China, India and Turkey.

EU's apparel imports from China grew by 23.5 per cent, while China maintained its lead with 7.88 billion euros during the period.

Cambodia, Pakistan, India and Vietnam also recorded double-digit growth while Turkey was the only major country that registered a decline.

Exporters attributed the strong performance to spillover orders from late 2024, early-season buying by European retailers and efforts to front-load shipments ahead of anticipated logistical or market uncertainties.

When asked, Mahmud Hasan Khan, the newly-elected president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), termed the growth satisfactory. He attributed the sustained flow of business and a shift from China for the growth while enhanced capacity of the local industry also helped bag more work orders.

Mr Khan also said that performance would be higher with improved logistical supports, particularly an uninterrupted gas supply. He, however, raised question over the retention saying there is no specific data on how much value addition is done compared to the overall exports and imports.

In many cases, factories receive work orders at a low rate with minimum margin or no margin just to run the business, he said, adding that the new board will work on data related to retention.

According to Eurostat data, the EU's total apparel imports rose by 15.7 per cent to 30.42 billion euros which was 26.29 billion euros in the corresponding period of last year.

On the other hand, Turkey's apparel exports to the EU declined by 4.0 per cent to 2.91 billion euros. India recorded a 21.5 per cent growth, exporting 1.87 billion euros worth of garments. Garment shipments from Vietnam recorded 17.3 per cent growth to reach 1.38 billion euros. Pakistan's exports to the EU stood at 1.33 billion euros marking 25.1 per cent growth, while Cambodia posted the highest growth of 33.5 per cent to fetch 1.46 billion euros, according to the data.

Munni_fe@yahoo.com