Bangladesh Trade Statistics 2021 Overview
Bangladesh's total trade in FY2020-21 reached approximately USD 95 billion (exports: USD 38.8B; imports: USD 56.0B), marking a powerful V-shaped recovery from the COVID-19 shock. Exports grew 15.1% year-on-year and imports grew 9.5%, with RMG exports recovering to USD 31.5 billion. Korea-Bangladesh bilateral trade reached USD 2.3 billion, placing Korea among Bangladesh's top-10 trading partners.
Export Recovery and Diversification
RMG exports recovered to USD 31.5 billion (+12.6%), accounting for 81% of total exports. Non-RMG exports also grew to USD 7.3 billion (+25%), with diversification progressing in IT services (USD 1.4B), jute (USD 1.3B), and agri-fishery products (USD 0.8B). The US, EU, and UK remained the three largest export markets, while Japan, India, and China expanded as well.
| Market | Value | Share | Growth | Key Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $7.9B | 20% | +22% | RMG, knitwear |
| EU (Germany, France) | $12.5B | 32% | +12% | RMG, woven garments |
| United Kingdom | $4.5B | 12% | +10% | RMG, leather |
| Japan | $1.1B | 2.8% | +18% | RMG, fishery products |
| India | $1.3B | 3.4% | +30% | Jute, apparel |
| Korea | $0.4B | 1.0% | +15% | Garments, fishery products |
| Others | $11.1B | 28.6% | +14% | Diverse products |
Import Structure and Korean Imports
Top import categories include cotton and textile raw materials (USD 9.2B), petroleum products (USD 5.8B), capital goods (USD 8.1B), and food products (USD 5.5B). Korean exports to Bangladesh totaled USD 1.9 billion, led by synthetic fibers, electronic components, and machinery — reflecting the Bangladesh garment industry's significant dependence on Korean raw materials.