B Mirror Report : Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) exports to the European Union (EU) registered a 5.97 per cent year-on-year growth in 2025, according to Eurostat data.

The country earned 19.41 billion euros from apparel shipments to the 27-nation bloc, up from 18.31 billion euros in 2024. However, exports in December 2025 declined by more than 12 per cent to 1.35 billion euros, compared to 1.54 billion euros in December 2024. During the same month, the EU’s overall apparel imports fell by 2.27 per cent to 6.94 billion euros from 7.11 billion euros a year earlier.

Data analysis shows that Bangladesh posted robust growth of over 61 per cent in January, followed by 26.64 per cent in February and 18.54 per cent in March. Growth slowed to 5.97 per cent in April and turned negative in May with a 10.92 per cent decline. Exports rebounded strongly in June with 20.42 per cent growth, followed by a 6.87 per cent rise in July. August saw a 7.73 per cent contraction before a temporary rebound of 15.66 per cent in September. However, exports declined again in October and November by 19.67 per cent and 10.87 per cent respectively.

Industry insiders said Bangladesh’s garment exports to its largest market are facing stiff competition, particularly from China, which has significantly increased shipments to the EU following the implementation of the new US tariff regime.

They noted that China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan have gradually expanded their presence in the EU market over the past decade, with intensified competition emerging as higher reciprocal US tariffs push exporters to diversify toward the European market.

Mohiuddin Rubel, Additional Managing Director of Denim Expert Ltd, said Bangladesh’s RMG exports to the EU grew in both value and volume (10.20 per cent) last year, although unit prices fell by 3.84 per cent.

He added that China recorded a 1.17 per cent growth, earning 26.58 billion euros in 2025. Despite a 9.38 per cent drop in unit prices, China posted an 11.64 per cent increase in volume, highlighting its strategic focus on the European market amid challenges in the US.

Eurostat data show that the EU’s total apparel imports stood at 89.99 billion euros in 2025, marking a modest 2.10 per cent growth from 88.14 billion euros in 2024.

Among other competitors, India exported garments worth 4.54 billion euros, registering 7.99 per cent growth. Cambodia recorded strong performance with exports rising 14.66 per cent to 4.49 billion euros. Vietnam and Pakistan also posted growth of 9.66 per cent and 9.64 per cent, reaching 4.37 billion euros and 3.85 billion euros respectively in 2025.