December export earnings drop 14% as key sectors, including RMG, see sharp declines

The economy has now recorded declining export earnings for five of the first six months of the fiscal year

Bangladesh’s export earnings have slipped by 14.25 percent in December, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has reported.

The downward trend has affected the economy for five of the first six months of the 2025–26 fiscal year.

According to updated EPB data released on Sunday, exports in December reached $3.96 billion, down from $4.62 billion in December 2024.

Over the past six months, total exports stood at $23.99 billion, compared with $24.53 billion in the same period last year -- a decline of $536.6 million, or 2.19 percent.

The ready-made garment (RMG) sector, the backbone of Bangladesh’s exports, saw earnings of $3.23 billion last month, down 14.23 percent from $3.77 billion a year earlier.

Among other sectors, agricultural exports recorded the steepest drop, falling 27.56 percent to $72.5 million from $100 million in December 2024.

Jute and jute products also declined by 4.41 percent, with export earnings reaching $72.3 million, down from $75.6 million a year ago, a reduction of $3.34 million.

The EPB noted that exports in July had grown 24.76 percent, but a declining trend began thereafter: August fell 2.93 percent, September 4.61 percent, October 7.43 percent, and November 5.54 percent.

The current fiscal year’s export target is $63.5 billion. In the previous fiscal year, Bangladesh’s total exports amounted to $48.28 billion.