Written by The Banking Post
Bangladesh’s apparel shipments to the European Union (EU) posted a notable rise in the first half of this year, consolidating the country’s position as the bloc’s second-largest clothing supplier.
According to the latest data released by Eurostat, Bangladesh exported apparel worth €10.29 billion to EU markets between January and June 2025, up 17.9 per cent from €8.73 billion in the same period last year.
Overall, the EU’s apparel imports grew 12.3 per cent year-on-year to €43.39 billion, compared to €38.64 billion in the first half of 2024. Bangladesh’s growth, therefore, outpaced the bloc’s average import expansion.
Despite the strong performance, the country still lagged behind key competitors such as China and Cambodia. China retained its top exporter status with shipments soaring 22.3 per cent to €11.26 billion, while Cambodia posted the fastest growth of 30.4 per cent, reaching €2.07 billion.
The report further noted that Bangladesh’s export growth surpassed that of India, Pakistan and Vietnam, reflecting stronger competitiveness. Yet, in terms of pace, the country remained behind China and Cambodia.
