Agricultural Exports Grow 9.31% in H1 FY25

Bangladesh's pharmaceutical exports saw steady growth in the first eight months of FY24-25, earning $145.46 million, a 7.1% increase from $135.81 million in the same period of the previous year. Growth was driven by rising demand in developed markets like the US, Australia, and Europe.

The expansion of women-led SMEs is strengthening Bangladesh’s poultry industry by boosting employment, production, and market competitiveness. On International Women's Day 2025, the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) highlighted the need to support women entrepreneurs and ensure adequate nutrition for their sustained contributions.

Bangladesh's plastic sector has seen robust export growth, with shipments rising by 21.25% in the first eight months of FY25, reaching $203.63 million compared to $166.59 million in the same period of FY24. This surge is attributed to rising global demand, diversified product offerings, and increased production capacity. European buyers are increasingly turning to Bangladesh as an alternative to China, creating opportunities for expansion

Bangladesh’s export earnings grew nearly 11% from July to February FY25, reaching $32.94 billion, up from $29.80 billion in FY24, driven primarily by ready-made garments (RMG). February exports totaled $3.97 billion, a 2.77% increase from last year, with RMG contributing $3.24 billion (81.66% of total exports).

Maize cultivation in Bangladesh has surged, reaching a record 6.72 lakh hectares in FY 2024-25, up from 6.42 lakh hectares in FY 2023-24. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) set a production target of 69.78 lakh tonnes for FY 2024-25, while the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated output to reach 52 lakh tonnes.

Shrimp exports in Bangladesh have halved over the past seven years, forcing many processing units to shut down. Out of 109 registered factories, only 48 remain operational—30 in Khulna and 18 in Chattogram—due to a severe raw material shortage, with factories receiving just 7% of their required shrimp input.