US Apparel Imports from Bangladesh Jump 26.6 Percent

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Bangladesh has strengthened its position in the United States apparel market, recording a 26.62 percent rise in export volume between 2015 and 2024, even as overall apparel imports into the US declined by 5.30 percent, according to the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA).

The data shows mixed performances among Bangladesh’s competitors. China saw its apparel export volume to the US fall by 18.36 percent, while Vietnam and India posted robust increases of 32.96 percent and 34.13 percent respectively. Indonesia registered a decline of 19.82 percent, whereas Cambodia achieved a 10.78 percent increase.

Bangladesh’s performance was further boosted by a 7.30 percent rise in unit prices, compared to a global average decline of 1.71 percent. In contrast, China and India recorded drops of 33.80 percent and 4.56 percent, while Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia saw increases of 6.64 percent, 7.38 percent, and 38.31 percent respectively.

Industry insiders noted that Bangladesh has managed to maintain a unit price close to the US global average. However, experts believe there is room for improvement when compared to competitors such as Vietnam and India, who are commanding higher prices through greater value addition.

“Bangladesh has significant potential to raise its unit price. Focusing on value-added products can increase export earnings without boosting volumes,” said Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of BGMEA, Managing Director of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, and Additional MD of Denim Expert Ltd.

Rubel pointed to the contrasting dynamics of China and Vietnam to highlight the importance of value addition. Despite having almost equal export values to the US in 2024, Vietnam’s apparel export volume was less than half of China’s. This difference, he explained, stemmed from Vietnam’s higher share of value-added products, with an average unit price of US$3.59 compared to China’s US$1.78.

He stressed that for Bangladesh to secure long-term competitiveness, the apparel sector must pivot more aggressively toward producing and exporting higher-value products.