Bangladesh showing incredible export performance in the USA apparel market. According to data from the US Commerce Department’s Office of Textiles and Apparels (OTEXA), from January to October 2022, US buyers ordered more Bangladesh-made apparel than China. In the 10 months of last year, Bangladesh’s apparel export in the US observed the highest growth of 48.57% than that of China and Vietnam. As per OTEXA data, the USA imported $8.5 billion worth of clothing products from Bangladesh – making the country hold the third top apparel exporter to the USA after China and Vietnam.
In the first 10 months of last year, the US imported $19.32 billion in apparel from China, up 20.76% from the same period a year earlier. In the first 10 months of 2021, the USA imported $16 billion of apparel from China.
According to those concerned, China’s tension with Western countries is one of the reasons for the increase in purchase orders from Bangladesh and other countries. It seems that some major US buyers want to reduce their trade with China gradually.
Bangladesh readymade garment (RMG) people believe that Bangladesh is attracting buyers from the United States and the European Union who have shifted away from China. According to them, the reasons for the increased order of apparel from Bangladesh to US-based buyers include reliability, and preference – as the Bangladesh apparel industry understands the demand of US consumers and easy availability of labor.
Siddiqur Rahman, Chairman, Sterling Group, Former President, BGMEA said, “During the COVID-19 times, we have kept our factories operational maintaining all the safety standards and ensured on-time shipment – which greatly increased trust and reliability of US, EU and other buyers across the globe.”
“On top of that, our quality, and lead time are top-notch. Overall, I think these are the catalyst which are pushing the RMG export in the US,” the Former BGMEA President added.
Not only Bangladesh, but others are also getting this benefit, said Fazle Shamim Ehsan, Vice President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), “Western countries are increasing the rate of export orders to Bangladesh, Vietnam and other countries.”
Meanwhile, according to a survey report published in July 2022 by the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), 55 percent of American buyers (executives) are thinking of buying clothes from Bangladesh at a higher rate than China and Vietnam in the next two years.
“Respondents’ comments show that companies are looking for ways to reduce their reliance on Chinese apparel supplies,” the USFIA report said.
The US Embassy in Dhaka also recognizes Bangladesh as a trading partner, saying, “The United States is the largest export destination of Bangladesh, and US apparel companies are increasingly identifying Bangladesh as one of their most important trade and investment partners.”
Overall, the immense potential of Bangladesh is being observed in the US apparel market. Stakeholders feel that this potential needs to be harnessed to further strengthen our apparel sector.
