Photo: Collected
In July to October of the current 2026-27 fiscal year, Bangladesh earned $3.35 billion from exporting goods to the US market. Earnings in the same period of the previous fiscal year stood at $3 billion, meaning an increase of 11.51 percent. With this, the US has retained its position as the country’s largest single destination for export earnings.
The latest statistics of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) show that Bangladesh’s merchandise export earnings from all destinations combined stood at $17.09 billion in July-October. This is 5.88 percent higher than in the same period of the previous fiscal year. The US market alone supplied nearly one-fifth of the total earnings.
The growth rate in the US is significantly higher than overall export growth. Amid uncertainty in the global economy, shifting consumer demand and increased competition in international markets, stakeholders see this growth as a reflection of the country’s export capacity and the confidence of foreign buyers.
EPB Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Hasan Arif said this growth in the US market is proof that the competitiveness of Bangladeshi products in international trade is steadily rising.
He said, ‘The United States is Bangladesh’s most important export destination. Achieving 11.51 percent growth in such a large and competitive market is extremely encouraging for the country’s export sector.’
Hasan Arif explained that despite uncertainty in the global economy, the country’s exporters have been able to retain the confidence of foreign buyers by delivering goods on time, improving quality and meeting international compliance requirements.
In his view, this notable growth in the US reflects both the capacity of exporters and the consistent demand for Bangladeshi products in a large consumer market.
Exports rising in alternative markets too
Along with rising earnings in the traditional large markets, Bangladesh is also expanding its footprint in new and alternative markets. Export growth in the Middle East and non-traditional markets in particular is creating new opportunities for the country’s export trade.
According to the EPB, among the major markets, the highest growth in the first four months of the current fiscal year came in Turkey, at 82.69 percent. Export earnings from the country in this period stood at $292.15 million, compared with $159.92 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Export earnings from Saudi Arabia rose by 15.52 percent and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 12.93 percent. Spain in Europe also saw double-digit growth.
Hasan Arif said Bangladesh’s exports are rising in several emerging markets, including the Middle East, beyond the traditional markets. This will widen the scope of export markets and reduce dependence on a few large markets.
Economists and policymakers believe that geographically diversifying export markets is becoming increasingly urgent for Bangladesh. It would make it easier to absorb the shock of an economic downturn, a change in trade policy or a fall in demand for products in any one country.
UK and Germany also major markets
After the US, the UK and Germany are on the list of major destinations for export earnings. In July-October of the current fiscal year, export earnings from the UK stood at $1.74 billion. With this, the country has retained its position as Bangladesh’s second largest export market.
Export earnings from Germany in the same period stood at $1.57 billion, placing it third. Spain and the Netherlands follow on the list.
Export earnings in these European countries show where the country’s main manufactured goods, including readymade garments, stand in the international market. A significant portion of Bangladesh’s export earnings comes from just three countries: the US, the UK and Germany. So, alongside maintaining trade relations with the traditional large markets, finding new markets has also become important.
Exports up 4.39 percent in October
The positive trend in export earnings has continued at the start of the second quarter of the current fiscal year. According to EPB statistics, Bangladesh earned $756.64 million from exports to the US market in October 2026. Earnings in October of the previous year were $674.96 million. By that measure, export earnings from the country rose by 12.10 percent in a year.
In October, the country’s merchandise export earnings from all destinations combined stood at $3.99 billion, 4.39 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year.
With growth in the US outpacing total exports, the market’s consistent contribution to the country’s foreign trade is coming to the fore.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan said that on the question of tariffs in the US, Bangladesh is now in a relatively advantageous position compared with several competing countries. As a result, Bangladeshi products are able to stay competitive there, and export earnings are also rising.
He said, ‘In terms of tariffs, we are in a relatively advantageous position compared with several competing countries. This is helping to maintain the competitiveness of our products in the US market. It also has a positive impact on export growth.’
Mahmud Hasan Khan further said the BGMEA is continuing discussions with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to find a way to have the additional 10 percent tariff imposed on Bangladesh’s exports withdrawn or to avoid its application.
He said, ‘We are continuing discussions and communication with the USTR on avoiding the additional 10 percent tariff. We are hopeful that an acceptable solution will be found through continued dialogue and discussion.’
Goal is to retain competitiveness
Analysts and policymakers involved in the export sector consider diversifying markets and products, raising quality, timely delivery and compliance with international standards important for sustaining this trend of export growth in the global market.
Alongside staying competitive in large markets such as the US and Europe, expanding trade relations with emerging economies could open up new opportunities for exporters. Increasing production capacity in line with the changing demand of the international market and buyers’ preferences is also now urgent.
EPB Chief Executive Officer Hasan Arif said that with growth in the US and other traditional large markets and increased supply to non-traditional markets, they are hopeful the positive trend will continue in the coming months.
He believes this export growth in both kinds of markets, traditional and new, is sending a positive message for the sector.
All in all, the country’s total merchandise export earnings reached $17.09 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year. Alongside rising exports to large markets such as the US, the upward trend of exports to new and alternative markets such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has raised the prospect of broadening and strengthening the country’s export base.
Source: BSS
Background
According to a bdnews24.com report of 7 September, on 31 July 2025 the US cut the tariff on Bangladeshi goods from 35 percent to 20 percent. In February 2026, the US Supreme Court struck down that global tariff. Then, on 25 July, tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent were imposed on 60 countries, including Bangladesh, over allegations of forced labour, with Bangladesh’s rate set at 10 percent.
By the numbers
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), exports to the US rose 4.09 percent to $9.04 billion in the 2025-26 fiscal year, while total exports were about $48 billion, The Business Standard reported on 2 July.
According to EPB data, total exports rose 6.34 percent to $13.094 billion in the July-September quarter of the current fiscal year. Of this, exports in September stood at $3.937 billion, 8.54 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year, UNB reported on 1 October.
According to the EPB, exports to the US rose 11.34 percent to $2.591 billion in July-September, UNB reported on 1 October.
Sources
Original report: Bangladesh Pratidin
Background sources: bdnews24.com, 7 September 2026; The Business Standard, 2 July 2026; UNB, 1 October 2026
