According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, during the first three months (July–September) of the 2026–27 fiscal year, overall garment exports to the EU market increased by 3.33%, but exports to France dropped by 4.91% to USD 449 million. Data from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, reveals that between January and August of this year, Bangladesh's apparel export earnings from the EU declined by 11.67% to EUR 11.93 billion, while its overall market share fell from 21.5% to 19.8%. Furthermore, the average export price per kilogram of garments dropped from EUR 14.87 to EUR 13.76. Excess inventories, high inflation across Europe, and sluggish retail sales have prompted foreign buyers to cut back on new orders while forcing suppliers to offer deep discounts.
Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), noted that while instability in France has sparked fresh market anxiety, broader economic stagnation across Europe and buyer cutbacks remain the primary drivers of the crisis. With energy and production costs rising, falling product prices are compounding business risks and fueling fears of negative profit margins. To weather the storm, experts advise exporters to maintain close communication with EU buyers and adopt flexible production management in the short term. Over the long term, they stress the urgent need to move beyond heavy reliance on traditional European markets by pivoting toward high-value apparel, product diversification, and entry into emerging international markets.
