Bangladesh's apparel exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 14.29 per cent during the first eight months of fiscal year 2022-23, reaching $15.72 billion compared to $13.75 billion during the same period in FY22, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Germany, the largest market in the EU, reported a negative growth rate of 1.03% with $4.62 billion in apparel imports. On the other hand, France and Spain showed an increase in apparel imports from Bangladesh by 27.65 per cent ($1.89 billion) and 18.79 per cent ($2.35 billion), respectively. In contrast, Bulgaria and Poland experienced negative growth rates of 51.21 per cent and 15.06 per cent year-on-year in apparel imports.

During this period, Bangldesh’s exports to the US decreased by 2.87 per cent year-on-year, but apparel exports to Canada and the UK saw a positive growth rate of 20.05 per cent and 14.52 per cent year-on-year, respectively.

Bangladesh's apparel exports to the US, the UK, and Canada during the first eight months of FY23 were $5.68 billion, $3.36 billion, and $980 million, respectively.

Meanwhile, apparel exports to non-traditional markets increased by 35.02 per cent to $5.69 billion, with Japan, Australia, India, and South Korea being the major non-traditional markets, reaching $1.07 billion, $767.75 million, $753.92 million, and $387.63 million, respectively.