Spain has overtaken Germany to become country’s largest readymade garment (RMG) export market in the European Union (EU) in the first quarter of FY2026-27, compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Bangladesh exported RMG goods worth more than $1.148 billion to Spain during July-September, while exports to Germany stood at $1.123 billion, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV).
A year earlier, the order was reversed. During the first quarter of FY2025-26, Bangladesh exported over $1.124 billion worth of RMG to Germany and over $1.009 billion to Spain.
RMG exports to Spain increased 13.73pc year-on-year during the first three months of FY27. The rise amounted to $138.62 million, taking Spain ahead of Germany.
Germany, meanwhile, recorded a slight decline of 0.15pc compared with the same period a year earlier.
Bangladesh’s total RMG exports to the EU rose by 3.33pc in the first quarter of FY27. Exports to the EU market increased to $4.904 billion from $4.746 billion in the same period of FY26. The year-on-year increase stood at $157.92 million.
Alongside Spain, exports to the Netherlands and Poland also increased during July-September.
RMG exports to the Netherlands rose 9.02pc, while shipments to Poland increased 5.77pc year-on-year.
Poland also recorded the sharpest monthly increase among the five major markets in September, with exports rising 30.25pc from a year earlier. However, not all major EU markets recorded growth during the quarter. Exports to Germany slipped 0.15pc, while shipments to France declined 4.91pc year-on-year.
RMG exports to the remaining EU countries combined also fell 2.24pc.
Bangladesh’s RMG exports to the EU showed stronger growth in September, rising 5.53pc year-on-year to over $1.410 billion.
The September data also showed a sharp increase in exports to Poland, which posted 30.25pc growth, the highest monthly rise among the five major markets.