Data from the Office of Textiles and garment (OTEXA) shows that in the first quarter of 2025, Bangladesh became the fastest-growing garment exporter to the United States. Between January and March of this year, the South Asian country shipped US $ 2.22 billion worth of clothing to the United States, a notable 26.64 per cent rise over the same time the previous year.
Bangladesh has surpassed other significant exporters thanks to its remarkable expansion. Exports of clothing increased by 24.04 per cent in India, 17.49 per cent in Pakistan, 13.96 per cent in Vietnam, and 4.18 per cent in China. Over the course of the quarter, US apparel imports totalled US $ 20.05 billion, up 10.95 per cent year over year.
Bangladesh experienced a 25.24 per cent increase in cargo volume in addition to value growth, which was a result of both increasing production capacity and growing demand. At 27.17 per cent, India led the way in volume growth, followed by China, Vietnam, and Pakistan at 19.94 per cent, 9.14 per cent, and 2.30 per cent, respectively.
China and Bangladesh witnessed small price increases of 1.83 and 1.12 per cent, respectively, while Vietnam saw the largest price increase of 4.42 per cent. India and Pakistan, on the other hand, experienced decreases of 2.46 and 2.04 per cent, respectively.
Experts in the field credit Bangladesh’s impressive achievement to its ability to export more expensive, high-end clothing. The enhanced pricing, according to Asif Ashraf, general director of Urmi Group, one of Bangladesh’s top exporters of clothing, signifies higher-quality shipments. He did, however, warn that the US administration’s recent tariff increases would present difficulties in the future.
China’s export growth to the US trailed behind the overall rise in US garment imports, according to Mohiuddin Rubel, a former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). This suggests that Bangladesh is gaining a greater market share from China. However, he stressed that the US trade policy situation is still unclear and advised prudence.
As the US continues to navigate trade dynamics and tariffs, Bangladesh’s apparel sector appears poised for further growth, though industry insiders remain watchful of potential headwinds.
