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Bangladesh’s garment exports to Turkey, a major competitor in the European apparel market, surged 123.14% year-on-year in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, raising hopes of a broader recovery in bilateral trade.
According to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, Bangladesh earned $146.63 million from garment exports to Turkey in July–September of FY2026-27, up from $65.71 million in the same period a year earlier.
Total exports to Turkey more than doubled to $210.54 million during the quarter, marking 100.11% growth. This far outpaced Bangladesh’s overall export growth of 6.34% over the same period.
Exporters believe the momentum could help Bangladesh expand its presence in the Turkish market, with a target of raising annual exports to $1 billion.
Turkey has long been an important destination for Bangladeshi garments and other products. However, exports have struggled to regain their previous peak following changes in Turkish tariff policies.
In FY2025-26, Bangladesh’s total exports to Turkey fell 6.55% to $593 million, including $401.7 million in garment shipments and $161.6 million in jute and jute goods.
Fazle Shamim Ehsan, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said rising incomes and living standards in Turkey were drawing workers away from garment manufacturing, creating a gap that foreign suppliers could help fill.
He said Bangladesh could capitalise on its production capacity, competitive pricing, product quality and ability to deliver on time.
However, he stressed the need to diversify beyond conventional apparel by expanding exports of high-value garments, man-made fibre products and technical textiles. Jute goods, footwear and other potential export items could also help broaden Bangladesh’s market presence.
Efforts are also under way to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries. Discussions between the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Turkish Ambassador Ramis Sen have included potential joint investment in man-made fibres and technical textiles, imports of raw materials and modern textile machinery from Turkey, and improved logistics through Turkish Airlines and Istanbul Airport.
During a visit to Bangladesh in June, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed ambitions to increase bilateral trade from $1.3 billion to $2 billion.
Tapas Pramanik, president of the Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA), said jute and jute goods should receive as much attention as garments in efforts to expand exports to Turkey.
EPB Vice-Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif also described the recent export growth as encouraging, stressing the need to sustain the trend by analysing product-specific capabilities and buyer demand.
Maintaining the momentum will be crucial if Bangladesh is to achieve its $1 billion export target for Turkey in the current fiscal year.
Exporters say stronger product diversification, joint investment and coordinated public-private initiatives will be key to turning the recent surge into sustained growth.