According to Eurostat, in January-May 2025, the EU experienced growth of 11.90%, amounting to $39.71 billion from global trade. This growth was accompanied by a notable 13.40% spike in volume (million kg) and a 1.33% decrease in average unit prices (USD value/kg).
Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the EU surged to $9.68 billion from $8.23 billion in 2024. The country’s readymade garment exports in the same period grew by 17.61%, supported by a strong 15.08% increase in volume. Additionally, there was a 2.20% increase in unit price, showcasing balanced growth in export amount, volume, and price in the EU market.
In comparison, China, India, Pakistan, and Cambodia also experienced substantial growth rates during this period. China’s apparel exports to the EU reached $10.10 billion, up from $8.35 billion in the same period in 2024, with a growth rate of 20.86% in value and a remarkable 6.69% increase in unit price. However, Turkey faced a 6.00% decrease in apparel imports to the EU, amounting to $3.87 billion in January-May 2025, while Vietnam recorded a 15.63% growth, reaching $1.83 billion in exports with 5.45% increase in unit price. India, Pakistan, and Cambodia secured $2.51 billion, $1.75 billion, and $1.90 billion in exports to the EU, respectively, with growth rates of 16.39%, 19.09%, and 28.64% respectively.
Bangladesh is showcasing notable growth across various sectors within the EU. China maintains a higher position while Vietnam is doing better as well. Simultaneously, continual exploration of new markets will fortify Bangladesh’s positioning for minimizing the risk of being dependent only on the EU and the USA. Bangladesh’s export’s to EU now constituting nearly half of its export destinations. As challenges in the US market persist due to tariff issues, the significance of the EU market for Bangladesh has escalated. It is imperative for us to prioritize and sustain our efforts in this market to uphold our competitiveness.
