Bangladesh’s export earnings rise 25% in July

The rubber sector nearly doubles its earnings compared with last year

Bangladesh’s export earnings rose by nearly 25 percent year-on-year in July, marking a strong start to the new fiscal year, according to the Export Promotion Bureau.

On Monday, the agency said merchandise exports stood at $4.77 billion last month, up from $3.82 billion in July 2024 -- an increase of $950 million.

The rubber sector recorded the highest growth among all major export categories, with earnings rising 92.66 percent year-on-year.

Shipments from the sector totalled $4.99 million in July, compared with $2.59 million during the same month last year.

The figures come at a time when exporters and buyers have been adopting a cautious approach over recent US tariff moves.

After months of negotiations, the Donald Trump administration on Thursday imposed a 20 percent tariff, down from the initially proposed 37 and then 35 percent.

Apparel sector remained the top export item in July, fetching $3.96 billion -- up 24.67 percent from $3.18 billion the previous year.

Specialised textiles brought in $30 million, marking a 12.84 percent rise from $26.6 million.

Home textile exports reached $68 million, rising 13.24 percent from $60 million in July 2024.

Exports in leather and leather goods surged 29.65 percent, totalling $127.3 million compared with $98.2 million a year ago.

Agricultural product exports climbed to $90 million in July, up 12.86 percent from $80 million in the same period last year.

Among other sectors, frozen and live fish exports rose 42.71 percent, plastic goods 7.41 percent, handicrafts 9.27 percent, and jute and jute products saw a 4.92 percent increase.

In FY2025, total export earnings reached $48.28 billion, up 8.58 percent or $3.81 billion from the previous year’s figure of $44.47 billion.