Bangladesh exports fall nearly 1% in July as downturn extends

The new fiscal year has begun with export earnings declining, extending a negative trend in the economy’s key indicator.

Exporters earned $4.73 billion from merchandise shipments in July, the first month of fiscal 2026-27, according to updated data released by the Export Promotion Bureau on Monday.

The figure was nearly 1 percent lower than the $4.77 billion earned in July last year. Earnings from the main export sector, readymade garments, fell by about 2 percent.

Asked about the decline, Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, executive president of BKMEA, told bdnews24.com: “The situation is there for everyone to see. The global situation is not favourable; the domestic situation is not good either. There are different problems, including gas and electricity. Negative growth is therefore natural.”

He said the recent severe gas shortage did not affect July earnings.

Asked about the coming months, Ehsan said: “It seems negative growth will continue until September. It may turn around from October-November.”