Bangladesh's merchandise exports rose 13.14 percent year-on-year to US$4.43 billion in August, up from $3.92 billion in the same month last year, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Exports during the first two months of fiscal year 2026-27 also increased by 5.43 percent to $9.16 billion from $8.69 billion in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
The ready-made garment (RMG) sector remained the main driver of export growth, with earnings rising 13.92 percent year-on-year to $3.89 billion in August. RMG exports during July-August grew 5.12 percent to $7.50 billion.
Both major apparel segments posted strong growth in August. Knitwear exports increased 14.88 percent, taking cumulative growth for July-August to 6.17 percent, while woven garment exports rose 12.70 percent, pushing cumulative growth to 3.81 percent.
Several non-RMG sectors also recorded double-digit growth in August, supporting efforts to diversify the country's export base.
Jute and jute goods exports grew 37.09 percent in August and 22.26 percent during July-August. Pharmaceuticals surged 28.52 percent in August and 38.94 percent cumulatively.
Leather and leather goods exports increased 24.85 percent in August, while printed materials grew 24.83 percent, with cumulative growth reaching 41.89 percent.
Engineering products rose 23.88 percent, while other footwear exports increased 15.29 percent, with cumulative growth of 27.32 percent.
The United States remained Bangladesh's largest export market, with exports to the country growing 26.09 percent in August and 11.90 percent during July-August.
The United Kingdom regained its position as the second-largest export destination, followed by Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.
Among emerging markets, exports to Türkiye rose 141.03 percent, while those to the Republic of Korea and Saudi Arabia increased 42.37 percent and 42.09 percent, respectively.
The growth in export earnings was attributed to stronger demand in key international markets, improved buyer confidence, expanded production capacity, higher shipments of value-added products and efforts to diversify export destinations.