Bangladesh records 25.65% surge in US apparel exports

Bangladesh's apparel exports to the United States climbed by a record 25.65% year on year in August, surpassing $817 million and marking the sharpest single-month expansion ever recorded, according to figures released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The milestone was achieved notwithstanding persistent volatility in the global economy; exporters' robust capacity and the looming deadline for finalising winter-wear orders were instrumental in propelling the surge.

Over July and August -- the opening two months of fiscal year 2026–27 -- Bangladesh shipped $1.61 billion worth of ready-made garments to the US, an increase of 11.42% on the corresponding period last year. The monthly average consequently rose to $806.46 million, up from $645.38 million on a twelve-month basis in FY2025–26. The US, furthermore, remains Bangladesh's foremost single export destination, having generated approximately $9.04 billion in total merchandise exports in FY2025–26, of which $7.74 billion derived from apparel alone.

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Industry figures attributed the acceleration to buoyant order flows and Bangladesh's capacity to exploit shifting global trade dynamics. Md Fazlul Hoque, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), observed that the August surge stemmed partly from the deadline for winter-garment orders, while greater product diversification could consolidate Bangladesh's foothold in the US market. Fazle Shamim Ehsan, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), likewise stressed that uninterrupted energy supplies and policy continuity would be indispensable to sustaining the momentum. Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, meanwhile suggested that exports could reach $9 billion in the US market within the next twelve months if the present trend persists; nevertheless, he underscored the necessity of product diversification, greater value addition, and enhanced quality to preserve long-term competitiveness.