Spain has overtaken Germany to become Bangladesh’s largest ready-made garment (RMG) export market in the European Union (EU) in the first quarter of FY2026-27.
The Numbers
Bangladesh exported apparel worth US$1,148.46 million to Spain in July-September, up 13.73% from $1,009.84 million a year earlier. Exports to Germany declined 0.15%, to about $1.123 billion. A year ago, Germany led Spain by about $115 million. This year Spain leads by about $25 million. September alone saw Spain’s exports rise 19.03%.
Spain Is Carrying EU Growth
Without Spain’s $138.62 million increase, Bangladesh’s net first-quarter RMG gain in the EU would have been only about $19.30 million. France fell 4.91%, to $449.41 million. Overall, garment exports to the EU rose 3.33% to $4.9 billion.
Why Spanish Demand Is Stronger
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Mahmud Hasan Khan said apparel demand has weakened in major economies as consumers face declining purchasing power, which hurt shipments to Germany, while shipments to Spain rose because buyers there were doing well.
Inditex and Mango
Spain’s biggest retailers are deeply tied to Bangladesh. A source at Inditex’s Bangladesh office said the group works with at least 300 garment factories in the country. Inditex owns Zara, Bershka and Massimo Dutti. Its chief executive has said Bangladesh is “better positioned” to benefit from changing global trade and that the group wants to strengthen the relationship. Barcelona-based Mango also buys here, with 132 Bangladeshi factories in its supply chain as of 2022, sixth among its sourcing countries.
A Growing Relationship
This is not an overnight jump. Bangladesh exported about $3.8 billion of goods to Spain in FY2025-26, with RMG contributing more than $3.6 billion, up about 6%. That made Spain the fourth-largest export market overall.
What Comes Next
The lead is narrow, and one quarter does not make a trend. Still, Bangladesh now has a clear opening with a market that is buying more. Exporters will want to deepen ties with Spanish buyers while working to win back volume in Germany and France.
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