Bangladesh’s merchandise exports increased 6.34% year-on-year to $13.094bn during the first quarter of FY2026-27, according to the latest data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), UNB reported.

Exports in September alone rose 8.54% y/y to $3.937bn, compared with $3.627bn in the same month a year earlier.

The ready-made garment (RMG) industry continued to account for the bulk of export earnings, generating $10.578bn during July-September, up 6.10% from $9.970bn in the corresponding period of FY26.

RMG exports in September increased 8.56% y/y to $3.082bn from $2.839bn. Knitwear exports rose 6.88% during the quarter to $5.963bn, while woven garment shipments increased 5.11% to $4.614bn. On a monthly basis, knitwear and woven garment exports grew 8.58% and 8.54%, respectively, in September.

Several non-RMG industries also recorded strong growth. Pharmaceutical exports increased 40.39% during the first quarter, including a 64.33% y/y jump in September. Jute and jute-product exports rose 31.55% during the quarter and 22.72% in September, while leather and leather-product exports increased 14.74% and 20.19%, respectively.

Light engineering exports grew 16.51% during the three-month period, while home textile shipments increased 11.94%. Agricultural products and frozen and live fish, however, recorded declines during the quarter.

The US remained Bangladesh’s largest export destination, with shipments rising 11.34% y/y to $2.591bn in July-September from $2.327bn a year earlier. The UK was the second-largest market at $1.370bn, followed by Germany at $1.218bn. India and Japan ranked sixth and ninth, respectively, with exports to both markets increasing.

Among major emerging markets, Türkiye recorded the fastest growth, with exports doubling to $210.54mn from $105.21mn, an increase of 100.11%.