Dhaka, April 10 -- Bangladesh's trade deficit has widened in the first eight months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, , driven by declining export earnings and a surge in import costs for Ramadan.

According to updated data from Bangladesh Bank, the trade deficit stood at $16.913 billion at the end of February.

This marks an increase of $3.134 billion from January figures and a year-on-year rise of $3.207 billion compared with the same period in the previous fiscal year.

In the corresponding period of the 2024-25 fiscal year, the deficit was recorded at $13.706 billion.

Analysts warn that the ongoing Iran war could further exacerbate the deficit in the coming months.

Despite the widening trade gap, stronger remittance inflows during Ramadan...