Staff Correspondent: Bangladesh's export earnings in April 2025 saw a negligible rise, increasing by less than one percent to $3.016 billion from $2.99 billion in the same month last year, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The slowdown comes after a string of stronger performances in recent months and is being largely attributed to production disruptions caused by the extended Eid-ul-Fitr holidays and ongoing gas shortages.
Despite the monthly dip in momentum, cumulative figures for the first ten months of the fiscal year (July to April) tell a more optimistic story. Total export earnings reached $40.20 billion, up 9.83% from $36.60 billion during the same period last year. The readymade garment sector - the backbone of Bangladesh's export economy - continued to dominate the landscape, with earnings reaching $32.64 billion during the period, reflecting a 10% year-on-year growth.
However, April's garment export figures mirrored the overall sluggish trend, growing by just 0.44% to $2.39 billion. Industry insiders have blamed the reduced number of working days due to the long Eid holiday. "With fewer working days, shipment volumes naturally dropped," said Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice-president of BGMEA. "We expect normal growth to resume in May."
Production also faced further hurdles due to gas shortages, an issue that exporters say has become increasingly disruptive. Many called on the government to ensure uninterrupted gas and power supplies to prevent further impact on the sector's performance.
Still, several key sectors showed resilience over the July-April period. Woven garments saw a 9.17% rise, fetching $15.18 billion, while knitwear earned $17.45 billion, marking a 10.74% increase. Other sectors such as leather footwear and non-leather footwear recorded significant growth, with the former jumping 26% to $545 million and the latter soaring over 31% to $446 million. Pharmaceuticals also posted moderate gains.
In contrast, traditional sectors like jute and jute goods struggled, with exports falling by nearly 7% to $685 million. Despite these mixed results, the broader export picture remains cautiously optimistic, as exporters look to recover lost ground in the months ahead.