Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector recorded a notable year-on-year growth of 31.21% in April 2026, driven largely by an unusually low export base in April 2025, industry insiders said.
According to internal assessments, RMG exports in April 2025 stood at $2.39 billion, a figure significantly affected by multiple external and seasonal disruptions. In contrast, the April 2026 performance reflects a recovery trend rather than purely organic growth.
One of the primary reasons behind the weak export figure in April 2025 was the coincidence of the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, which resulted in fewer working days. Factory operations remained largely suspended during the first week of the month, leading to reduced production and shipment volumes.
Additionally, trade policy developments in early April 2025 created substantial uncertainty in the global apparel market. On April 2, 2025, the United States announced “Liberation Day” tariffs, including a proposed 37% reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi goods and a 10% baseline tariff that took effect on April 5. Although the higher tariff rates were later delayed or renegotiated, the initial announcement triggered panic among U.S. buyers, disrupting order placements and shipment schedules.
Further compounding the situation, India revoked its transshipment facility for Bangladesh on April 8, 2025. This move significantly impacted logistics, reducing shipment volumes and adding to the overall disruption during that period.
The combined effect of fewer working days, policy uncertainty, and logistical challenges contributed to the subdued export performance in April 2025. Notably, exports to the U.S. dropped to $491.74 million during that month, marking one of the lowest levels in recent times.
Industry stakeholders emphasize that the strong year-on-year growth recorded in April 2026 should be interpreted with caution, taking into account the exceptional circumstances that affected the base period. They note that the latest figures indicate a normalization of export activities rather than an extraordinary surge.
The RMG sector, which remains the backbone of Bangladesh’s export economy, continues to navigate global market dynamics, policy changes, and supply chain challenges as it moves forward in 2026.
