Play store
Bangladesh’s denim exports to the European Union (EU) rose 12.71 per cent year-on-year in August 2026 to €134.08 million, up from €118.96 million a year earlier, according to Eurostat data.
The growth outpaced the overall market, as the EU’s total denim imports from global suppliers increased 11.23 per cent to €430.16 million in August. Bangladesh accounted for around 31.2 per cent of the bloc’s denim imports during the month, up from approximately 30.8 per cent a year earlier.
However, Bangladesh’s cumulative denim exports to the EU fell 5.85 per cent in January-August to €869.13 million from €923.11 million in the same period last year, a decline of nearly €54 million. The fall was steeper than the overall market’s 4.40 per cent contraction to €2,956.21 million.
Consequently, Bangladesh’s share of the EU denim market slipped to 29.40 per cent from around 29.9 per cent a year earlier. Nevertheless, the country retained its position as the bloc’s largest denim supplier, leading second-placed Pakistan by approximately €344 million.
Pakistan’s denim exports to the EU rose 14.99 per cent year-on-year in August to €87.71 million. However, its shipments during the first eight months of the year fell 7.88 per cent to €525.49 million, giving it a 17.78 per cent market share.
Turkey, the third-largest supplier, faced a sharper downturn. Its exports declined 13.26 per cent in August to €58.84 million, while shipments during January-August fell 21.08 per cent to €438.25 million, accounting for 14.82 per cent of the market.
Among other suppliers, Tunisia’s eight-month exports dropped 6.44 per cent to €219.94 million, while Cambodia’s fell 6.47 per cent to €144.83 million. Morocco recorded a 14.48 per cent decline to €63.87 million.
Egypt emerged as a strong performer, with denim exports to the EU surging 59.57 per cent in August to €30.67 million. Its shipments during January-August rose 31.46 per cent to €188.14 million, giving it a 6.36 per cent market share.
China’s exports increased 17.70 per cent over the eight-month period to €197.13 million, accounting for 6.67 per cent of EU denim imports.
Vietnam and India also recorded growth. Vietnam’s exports rose 45.38 per cent to €53.98 million during January-August, while India’s shipments increased 18.62 per cent to €31.40 million.
Despite the cumulative decline, Bangladesh’s performance was comparatively resilient, with its fall in exports less severe than those recorded by Pakistan, Turkey, Tunisia, Cambodia and Morocco.
Talking to BSS, former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) director Mohiuddin Rubel said Bangladesh had maintained a strong position in the EU denim market despite an overall decline in apparel imports, supported by its established supply chain, skilled workforce and technological capabilities.
He said the country had built a solid foundation in denim manufacturing over many years, enabling local producers to remain competitive in major markets, including Europe and the United States.
“Bangladesh has a strong supply chain base that has developed over many years. We have built expertise in technicians, technology and other areas of production,” Rubel said.
He said Bangladesh could further strengthen its position by moving away from volume-based production towards higher-value products, increasing value addition and adopting innovative technologies.
Although Bangladesh does not produce cotton, its strong fabric-manufacturing capacity and established industrial base offered significant opportunities to upgrade denim products and increase export earnings, he added.
Rubel said the current slowdown in the European apparel market had affected exporters across countries, largely because of inflation, weaker imports and energy-related challenges.
Despite the difficult market conditions, Bangladesh continued to lead the EU denim segment, maintaining a substantial gap over its nearest competitor, he said.
Rubel also stressed the need to prepare for evolving EU trade rules, Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) requirements and the European Green Deal.
Bangladesh should prioritise higher-value products, technological upgrading, innovation and compliance with emerging sustainability requirements to sustain long-term growth in the global denim industry, he added.