Garment shipments from Bangladesh to the European Union (EU) surged by 52.56 percent year-on-year to $1.97 billion in January this year, according to data from Eurostat. 

The shipment was worth $1.29 billion in January last year, said the EU's statistical office.

In terms of volume, the apparel export to the EU rose by 58.08 percent. Meanwhile, average unit prices decreased by 3.49 percent.

In January 2025, apparel imports by the EU surged by 25.12 percent, reaching $8.57 billion, accompanied by a notable 41.10 percent spike in volume and an 11.33 percent decrease in average unit prices.

Various factors contributed to this positive export trend, said Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), in a WhatsApp message.

The factors include a rise in value added garment production, benefits from the new US tariffs, duty-free market access, adherence to safety standards, and collaborative efforts of manufacturers and workers, he said.

These developments enhanced buyer confidence, solidifying Bangladesh's position in the export landscape, he added.

He was optimistic about future projections, anticipating a rise in work orders throughout 2025, sustaining growth momentum. As buyers expand sourcing activities in Bangladesh, the growth trajectory is set to continue, he said.

Comparatively, China experienced a 33.55 percent growth in garment exports to the EU in January 2025 while India, Pakistan, and Cambodia also posted substantial growth rates of 36.99 percent, 25.12 percent, and 63.54 percent respectively.

China's apparel exports to the EU totalled $2.46 billion in January 2025, up from $1.84 billion in January 2024.

Conversely, Turkey saw a marginal 0.03 percent decrease in apparel imports to the EU, amounting to $904 million in January 2025, while Vietnam recorded a 27.35 percent growth, reaching $412 million.

India, Pakistan, and Cambodia secured $411 million, $360 million, and $435 million in January 2025, respectively, from the EU clothing market.

In conclusion, the data indicates a more pressing need for strategic changes for future growth, even though Bangladesh demonstrated resilience in preserving export quantity and value.

For Bangladesh to maintain its competitiveness and protect profit margins in the face of ongoing global price deflation, value addition and market diversification are still crucial, said Rubel.