Jashim uddin
Staff Reporter | AdChannel24.com
Publication Date: 16 October 2026
A significant shift has taken place in Bangladesh’s apparel export market within the European Union (EU). Spain has overtaken Germany, which has long been one of the largest European destinations for Bangladeshi garments, to become the leading single market for the country’s apparel exports in the region. During the first quarter of the 2026–27 fiscal year, from July to September, Bangladesh’s garment exports to Spain recorded substantial growth, while exports to Germany declined slightly.
According to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh exported ready-made garments worth US$1.14846 billion to Spain during the first three months of the current fiscal year. During the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, exports amounted to US$1.009844 billion. This represents a year-on-year increase of 13.73 percent.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s ready-made garment exports to Germany totalled US$1.12298 billion during the same period. In the first quarter of the previous fiscal year, exports to Germany stood at US$1.1247 billion. As a result, exports to the German market declined by 0.15 percent.
The figures have also been reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) and The Business Standard, based on EPB data. This shift has made Spain the largest single destination for Bangladeshi ready-made garment exports within the European Union, overtaking Germany.
Spain’s share of Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the EU has also increased. During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, Spain accounted for 23.42 percent of Bangladesh’s total garment exports to the European Union, while Germany accounted for 22.90 percent. Although the difference between the two markets remains relatively small, Spain has recorded a stronger growth rate.
Positive trends have also emerged in several other European markets. Between July and September, Bangladesh’s garment exports to the Netherlands increased by 9.02 percent, reaching approximately US$597.5 million. Exports to Poland also rose by 5.77 percent during the same period.
However, export performance has not been equally strong across all major European markets. Bangladesh’s ready-made garment exports to France declined by 4.91 percent. Exports to several other EU markets also recorded a combined decline. Therefore, understanding changes in demand across individual countries and updating export strategies will be important for sustaining Bangladesh’s overall progress in the European market.
According to EPB statistics, Bangladesh’s total ready-made garment exports to European Union countries reached US$4.90402 billion during the first quarter of the current fiscal year. The figure was US$4.7461 billion during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. This represents an increase of 3.33 percent in total apparel exports to the region.
Spain has made a significant contribution to this growth. The increase in exports to Spain amounted to approximately US$138.6 million, accounting for a substantial portion of the overall increase in Bangladesh’s exports to the EU. The upward trend continued in September, when Bangladesh’s garment exports to Spain reached approximately US$343.5 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 19.03 percent.
Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry is one of the country’s principal sources of export earnings. The European Union remains one of the most important markets for this sector. Therefore, the increase in exports to Spain could create new business opportunities for Bangladeshi garment manufacturers and exporters. However, growth in a single market does not necessarily mean that the entire industry’s earnings will increase at the same rate. Overall performance depends on demand in other markets, production costs, international buyers’ orders, and global economic conditions.
One of the most important priorities for Bangladesh’s garment industry is product diversification. Expanding production beyond conventional cotton clothing to include higher-value garments, non-cotton products, specialised apparel, and new fashion-oriented items could strengthen the country’s competitive position in Europe. Improving productivity, ensuring timely deliveries, and meeting international buyers’ quality standards will also remain essential.
European buyers and regulatory authorities are placing increasing emphasis on environmental standards, energy consumption, carbon emissions, and supply-chain transparency. Meeting these requirements will require investment in technological upgrades and environmentally sustainable production systems. At the same time, controlling production costs and improving workers’ skills will be crucial for exporters seeking to remain competitive.
Industry reports suggest that demand from Spanish buyers and import trends in the country have played an important role in the growth of Bangladesh’s garment exports to Spain. However, whether this growth will continue over the long term will depend on the consistency of orders and the strength of business relations between the two countries. Germany also remains an important market with opportunities for Bangladesh to recover and expand its exports. Therefore, expanding business across multiple European markets, rather than relying too heavily on a single destination, could prove more effective in the long run.
Overall, Spain’s emergence as the leading EU destination for Bangladesh’s garment exports during the first quarter of the 2026–27 fiscal year represents a notable development for the country’s apparel industry. The 13.73 percent growth in exports to Spain, alongside a 3.33 percent increase in total exports to the European Union, highlights positive developments in the export sector. However, sustaining this progress will require greater market diversification, improved product quality, increased production of higher-value garments, and compliance with international trade regulations.
