For four consecutive months, export earnings have exceeded 4 billion dollars.

For four consecutive months, export earnings have exceeded 4 billion dollars. 

Image: Collected

Bangladesh's export sector is experiencing a positive trend. For four consecutive months, the country has exported goods worth more than $4 billion (400 crore USD). In the most recent month, January, export earnings amounted to $4.44 billion (444 crore USD), which is 5.70% higher than the same period last year.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) released an updated report on export earnings this Monday. According to the report, in the first seven months (July–January) of the current fiscal year 2024–25, total export earnings reached $28.97 billion, reflecting an 11.68% increase compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year 2023–24.

EPB's analysis indicates that in January, exports of ready-made garments (RMG), processed agricultural products, non-leather footwear, frozen food, and engineering products saw an increase. However, exports of leather products, jute and jute goods, home textiles, and plastic products declined. Since the RMG sector contributes more than 80% of total export earnings, the overall growth is largely dependent on this sector. In January, RMG exports grew by 5.57%, sustaining the overall positive export trend.

According to EPB data, export growth declined in July and August due to quota reform movements and student protests. However, in September, export growth rebounded by 16%, reaching $3.86 billion. In October and November, exports stood at $4.13 billion and $4.11 billion, respectively, with year-on-year growth of 18.68% in October and 14.5% in November. In December, export earnings were $4.11 billion, showing an 18% growth.

During the first seven months (July–January) of the current fiscal year, RMG exports totaled $23.55 billion, which is 12% higher than the same period last year. In January alone, RMG exports amounted to $3.66 billion, reflecting a 5.57% growth.

Meanwhile, processed agricultural products have overtaken leather and leather goods to become the second-largest export sector. In the first seven months of the fiscal year, exports from this sector amounted to $670 million, showing a 10.5% increase compared to the same period last year. In January, processed agricultural exports stood at $78.3 million, marking a 21.35% growth.

During the same period, leather and leather product exports reached $669 million, reflecting an 8% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. However, in January, export earnings from this sector declined to $90 million, which is about 5% lower than in January of the previous year.