Garment exports to non-traditional markets rise 9.3 percent, more than double in Turkiye

Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports are growing not only in traditional markets but also in new and non-traditional ones. In the first four months of the current 2026-27 fiscal year (July-October), garment exports to these markets rose 9.30 percent. Export earnings in the period reached 2.37 billion US dollars, up from 2.17 billion dollars in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

The figures come from the latest updated data of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Growth in markets such as Turkiye, Japan, Australia and South Korea in particular has opened new possibilities for expanding the country's garment industry.

Among the non-traditional markets, Bangladesh's garment exports grew the most in Turkiye. In the July-October period, garments worth 206.5 million dollars were exported to the country, compared with 99.7 million dollars in the same period of the previous fiscal year. That is growth of 107.05 percent.

Exports to the Turkish market rose by 106.8 million dollars, which is about 53 percent of the total increase in exports to new markets. As a result, Turkiye's share of Bangladesh's garment exports to non-traditional markets has also risen significantly. Its share was 4.60 percent in the same period last year, and has now climbed to 8.71 percent.

Among the non-traditional markets, Japan remains Bangladesh's largest export destination. In the July-October period, garments worth 437.3 million dollars were exported to Japan, 2.40 percent more than in the same period a year earlier. Japan accounts for 18.44 percent of total exports to non-traditional markets.

In addition, garment exports to Australia rose 3.01 percent to 264 million dollars, and to South Korea 5.82 percent to 151.3 million dollars. Exports to the Indian market, however, fell 5.38 percent to 250.9 million dollars.

Countries outside the top five markets also saw strong growth in Bangladesh's garment exports. Exports to these markets rose 8.48 percent. Export earnings in the period reached 1.06 billion dollars, which is 44.76 percent of total exports to non-traditional markets.

The positive trend in new markets also continued in October alone. In that month, Bangladesh's garment exports to non-traditional markets rose 8.99 percent. Export earnings stood at 559.7 million dollars.

In October, exports to Turkiye rose 75.96 percent. Garments worth 59.8 million dollars were exported to the country in the month. In monthly exports, Turkiye now ranks second only to Japan. In October, garments worth 93.7 million dollars were exported to Japan, 1.64 percent more than in the same month last year.

In the same period, exports to Australia rose 11.32 percent to 55 million dollars. Exports to India, on the other hand, fell 5.41 percent to 45.9 million dollars, and to South Korea 4.60 percent to 30.4 million dollars.

Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, adviser to the prime minister on finance and planning, told the state news agency BSS that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the present government is working to expand Bangladesh's exports in non-traditional and new markets alongside traditional ones. Steps have been taken to develop the necessary infrastructure and formulate timely policies to turn Bangladesh into a regional production and export hub. The government is using the Three-R strategy to build such capacity and structures before graduation from least-developed-country status.

He said the government aims to take Bangladesh to a stronger position in the global supply system by exploring new markets, diversifying export products and increasing production capacity.

Those involved in the sector believe that expanding exports in new markets will play an important role in strengthening the long-term competitiveness of Bangladesh's garment industry. If growth continues in other markets alongside large ones such as Japan and Turkiye, dependence on a few traditional markets will fall. Market diversification will also help Bangladesh retain its export capacity in international markets after LDC graduation.