DHAKA, April 2, 2026 (BSS) – Bangladesh’s merchandise export sector has demonstrated significant underlying strength despite a tightening global economic environment, recording total earnings of $3.48 billion for the month of March 2026.  Cumulative export figures for the first three quarters of the 2025–26 fiscal year (July–March) reached $35.39 billion. While these figures reflect a moderate contraction compared to the previous fiscal year, the apparel sector continues to serve as the nation’s primary economic engine, maintaining substantial export volumes even as international consumer demand faces unprecedented geopolitical pressure. The export performance for March 2026 remained largely stable on a month-on-month basis, showing only a marginal dip of 0.42% compared to February.  However, broader year-on-year metrics indicate a more pronounced decline, largely attributed to high-base effects from the previous year and shifting global market conditions. Exports reached $35.39 billion during the July–March period of FY 2025–26, reflecting a moderate contraction of 4.85% compared to $37.19 billion recorded during the same period of the previous fiscal year. From a year-on-year perspective, exports in March 2026 amounted to $3.48 billion, compared to $4.25 billion in March 2025. Despite the decline, the export volume remains substantial, underscoring the sector’s underlying strength amid ongoing global economic adjustments. As Bangladesh’s export performance is largely driven by the apparel sector, fluctuations in this segment significantly influence overall export trends. On a year-on-year basis, apparel exports declined by 19.35%, decreasing from $3.45 billion in March 2025 to $2.78 billion in March 2026.  During July–March period of FY 2025–26, the sector recorded exports of $28.58 billion, reflecting a 5.51% decline compared to $30.24 billion in the corresponding period of FY 2024–25. Among major export sectors, most experienced negative growth compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year, with the exception of frozen and live fish, leather and leather goods, and engineering products, which registered positive performance. The overall export performance has been influenced by multiple external factors, including geopolitical tensions such as the US–Israel and Iran conflict, which has contributed to energy market volatility and instability in the Gulf region, as well as the prolonged Ukraine–Russia war, which has driven inflationary pressures and reduced purchasing power in key export destinations, including the European Union, the United States, and Southeast Asian markets.  These developments have led to slower demand, along with the postponement and cancellation of export orders.