Bangladesh apparel exports to EU fall 16.4% in H1 2026

Bangladesh's apparel exports to the European Union fell 16.43% year-on-year to €8.64 billion in the first half of 2026, amid a broader contraction in the bloc's apparel import market.

The decline was driven by an 8.22% drop in shipment volumes and an 8.94% fall in average export prices during January-June, according to Eurostat data compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV) founder and Chief Executive Officer Mohiuddin Rubel.

Infographics: TBS

The performance improved slightly in June, when Bangladesh's apparel exports to the EU rose 0.87% year-on-year to €1.37 billion. Shipment volumes increased 6.53% that month, partly offsetting a 5.31% decline in average prices.

Overall, the EU imported €41.10 billion worth of apparel from global suppliers in H1 2026, down 9.70% from a year earlier.

The decline reflected weaker consumer demand and lower prices across the bloc. Import volumes fell 6.40%, while average unit prices declined 3.53%.

Most major apparel-exporting countries also recorded sharp declines in the EU market.

Turkey's exports fell 14.60%, followed by Pakistan at 12.53%, India at 12.49%, Sri Lanka at 11.21%, China at 8.88% and Cambodia at 8.84%.

Vietnam was the only major supplier to post positive export growth, with shipments to the EU rising 0.36% in H1 2026.

Vietnam's export volumes fell 11.52%, but a 13.43% increase in average unit prices helped offset the decline in shipments. The price increase was the highest among the major suppliers during the period.

Indonesia and Cambodia also increased their average unit prices, but sharp declines in shipment volumes prevented them from achieving overall export growth.

The figures indicate that Bangladesh's export decline was deeper than the overall contraction in the EU apparel market, with both shipment volumes and prices falling significantly during the first six months of the year.