The country’s export earnings have been declining for four consecutive months. In November, goods worth $3.89 billion were exported. This is 5.54% lower than in November last year. Updated export statistics from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) show that, among the top five sectors, all but leather and leather products saw a decline in exports in November.
The sectors that experienced a fall include ready-made garments (RMG), jute and jute goods, agricultural processed products, and home textiles. In addition, exports of non-leather footwear, frozen foods, and plastic products also declined.
According to EPB’s updated data, $3.14 billion worth of ready-made garments were exported in November—5% lower than the same period last year. However, garment exports still remain positive for the first five months of the current fiscal year. From July to November of this fiscal year, $16.13 billion worth of garments were exported, up 0.9% compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Leather and leather goods remain the second-largest export sector after garments. In November, exports from this sector amounted to $98.9 million, which is 5.14% higher than the same period last year. So far in the current fiscal year (July–November), exports of leather and leather goods have reached $510 million, reflecting a growth of 9.88%.
The country’s third-largest export sector—agro-processed food—has witnessed a sharp downturn. Last month, exports totaled $82.8 million, nearly 25% lower than the same period last year. Exports have also fallen over the first five months of the current fiscal year, totaling $460 million, which is 6.81% lower than the previous year.
Exports of jute and jute goods, the fourth-largest sector, decreased by about 10.5% last month. During this period, exports amounted to $68.9 million, compared to $76.8 million in November last year. So far this fiscal year, $350 million worth of jute and jute products have been exported, showing 1.36% growth.
The fifth-largest export sector, home textiles, also saw a decline. In November, home textile exports amounted to $66.3 million, a drop of 7.75% compared to November last year. However, overall home textile exports remain positive. In the first five months of the current fiscal year, exports reached $345.4 million, marking 5.68% growth.