Khairul Alam – As football fever reaches a crescendo worldwide, fans in Bangladesh are gripped by anticipation for the historic World Cup final clash between Argentina and Spain.
However, beyond the pitch, Bangladesh shares deep-rooted economic and commercial ties with both nations.
A closer look at the trade balance reveals two vastly different economic dynamics: while Bangladesh relies heavily on imports from Argentina, its relationship with Spain is overwhelmingly driven by booming export revenues.
The Argentine Equation: High Imports, Minimal Exports
Despite Argentina’s massive popularity among Bangladeshi football fans, the bilateral trade balance is heavily tilted in Buenos Aires’ favor.
Argentina stands as Bangladesh’s 17th largest import source, accounting for approximately 1.2% of the country’s total global imports, valued at around $800 million annually.
According to the latest available country-wise data from Bangladesh Bank for the 2024-25 fiscal year, imports from Argentina reached $784.7 million (equivalent to approximately BDT 9,505 crore).
The primary imports from the South American nation include essential commodities:
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Edible Oil: Vegetable oil alone makes up roughly 75% of the total imports.
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Agricultural Goods: Wheat, corn, and animal feed.
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Industrial Raw Materials: Raw cotton, crucial for Bangladesh’s massive garment manufacturing sector.
Conversely, Bangladesh’s export footprint in Argentina remains exceptionally small. The country does not feature in Bangladesh’s top 20 export destinations.
Data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) shows that in the recently concluded 2025-26 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods worth only $34.9 million to Argentina, consisting primarily of ready-made garments (RMG) and some jute products.
However, industry insiders see room for growth. “Argentina can become a massive market for our ready-made garments,” said Akter Hossain Apurbo, Managing Director of Bunbox Apparel. “As we try to diversify our export destinations and reduce dependency on traditional markets, we are seeing a positive response from Argentina. Exports to the country are steadily on the rise.”
The Spanish Stronghold: A Dominant Export Market
In stark contrast to the Argentine trade deficit, Spain represents one of Bangladesh’s most lucrative export destinations. Spain is the fourth-largest export market globally for Bangladesh, and the second-largest within the 27-nation European Union (behind only Germany). Globally, Bangladesh only exports more to the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
EPB statistics reveal that Bangladesh exported goods worth approximately $3.8 billion to Spain in the last fiscal year.
Figures from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) indicate that ready-made garments alone generated over $3.6 billion of this total, marking a solid 6% year-on-year growth.
On the flip side, imports from Spain are minimal, making up just 0.2% of Bangladesh’s total import bill. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, imports from Spain stood at $132.5 million (around BDT 1,587 crore, calculated at BDT 120 per USD). Key imports from Spain include:
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Chemicals used in the textile industry
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Electrical equipment
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Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
A Quick Glance at Brazil
While Brazil missed out on the final, the Latin American football giant also holds a unique position in Bangladesh’s trade portfolio.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, Bangladesh imported goods worth $2.64 billion from Brazil (nearly 4% of total imports), dwarfing its imports from Argentina. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s exports to Brazil stood at a modest $214.7 million in the last fiscal year.
As millions of Bangladeshis prepare to tune in for the ultimate football showdown, the commercial realities showcase Bangladesh’s diverse global footprint.
Whether buying essential edible oils from South America or dressing European consumers in high-quality apparel, Bangladesh’s economic ties with these footballing giants remain as vital as the passion on the pitch.