DHAKA — Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to the United States surged 25.65 percent year-on-year in August, marking the highest monthly growth recorded in the US market, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). Bangladesh exported more than $817 million worth of garments to the US in August of the 2026-27 fiscal year, compared with $650.34 million during the same month a year earlier.
During July-August of FY2026-27, Bangladesh’s RMG exports to the US reached $1.61 billion, registering an 11.42 percent increase from the corresponding period of FY2025-26. The average monthly RMG export to the US during the first two months of the current fiscal year stood at $806.46 million, compared with an average of $645.38 million in FY2025-26. The strong performance was largely driven by the sharp increase recorded in August.
The United States remains Bangladesh’s largest single market for RMG exports. In FY2025-26, Bangladesh exported around $9.04 billion in merchandise to the US, up 4.09 percent from the previous fiscal year. Of that amount, approximately $7.74 billion came from RMG products, while non-garment exports accounted for about $1.30 billion.
Bangladesh’s non-RMG exports to the US include leather and leather goods, jute products, home textiles, agricultural and processed food products, plastics and melamine products, pharmaceuticals, footwear, textiles and yarn, and light engineering products.
US market offers further growth opportunities
Apparel industry leaders say Bangladesh has significant room to expand its presence in the US market, particularly through product diversification and increased production of higher-value garments. Mohammad Fazlul Hoque, an apparel entrepreneur and administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said the August increase was partly linked to the deadline for placing orders for winter apparel.
“Despite various global crises, Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have an inherent capacity to compete,” he said, adding that exporters are receiving better orders from US buyers for the coming months. Hoque said greater product diversification could help Bangladesh substantially increase exports to the US.
Fazle Shamim Ehsan, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and managing director of Fatullah Apparels Ltd, said changing global conditions have created opportunities for Bangladeshi exporters. He stressed that reliable energy supplies and policy continuity would be important for fully utilizing those opportunities.
Mahmududdin Rubel, CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, described the current pace of RMG exports to the US as encouraging. He estimated that if the current trend continues over the next 12 months, Bangladesh’s RMG export earnings from the US could reach $9 billion in FY2026-27. He also emphasized the importance of product diversification, higher value addition and improved quality to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the US apparel market.
Focus shifts to export diversification
Alongside garments, Bangladesh is seeking to expand exports of leather, jute, home textiles, agricultural and processed food products, pharmaceuticals, plastics and light engineering goods to the US. The Commerce Ministry has identified pharmaceuticals, leather and leather products, agricultural goods, light engineering and information and communication technology as priority sectors for expanding trade with the United States.
Bangladesh earned around $48 billion from total merchandise exports in FY2025-26, with the United States accounting for approximately $9.04 billion, making it the country’s largest single export destination.
The sharp growth in RMG exports during the opening months of FY2026-27 has renewed attention on Bangladesh’s potential to expand its share of the US apparel market while diversifying its overall export base.
