Knitwear declines, woven garments sustain growth

Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports posted a slight decline during the first six months (January-June) of this year. The sector earned $19.34 billion in export revenue during the period, down 0.63 percent from $19.46 billion recorded in the same period of 2025.

The latest analysis of data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) revealed the trend. Although overall exports edged down, the woven garment segment maintained positive growth, while the knitwear segment experienced a slight contraction.

According to the data, woven garment exports reached $9.20 billion during the first half of the year, marking a 0.68 percent increase from the same period last year. In contrast, knitwear exports totaled $10.14 billion, reflecting a 1.80 percent decline.

Industry stakeholders said Bangladesh's apparel sector has managed to remain stable despite fluctuating global demand, pricing pressure, and cautious purchasing strategies adopted by buyers. They said the growth in the woven segment and the marginal decline in overall exports demonstrate the industry's ability to adapt.

Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and chief executive of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, said the first-half performance reflects the resilience of the country's garment sector. Despite uncertainty and volatility in the global market, Bangladesh's RMG industry remains in a relatively strong position. However, he said the industry must focus on product diversification, expanding into new markets, and improving productivity to sustain long-term growth.

Analysts said the pace of Bangladesh's garment exports in the coming months will largely depend on consumer demand in the United States and Europe, global inflation, geopolitical developments, and trends in export orders. They added that the sector's ability to avoid a sharp downturn and maintain stability under the current circumstances is a positive sign.