Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States showed greater resilience than several major competitors during January-July 2026, with the country recording a smaller decline in export value and volume than the overall US apparel import market, China and India, according to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV).
US apparel imports fell 8.65 per cent year-on-year during January-July 2026 to $41.83 billion from $45.80 billion a year earlier.
Import volume fell 9.41 per cent over the same period to 13.20 billion square metre equivalents (SME) from 14.57 billion SME, while the average unit price rose 0.84 per cent to $3.17 per SME from $3.14.
Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the US fell 6.50 per cent during January-July 2026 to $4.66 billion from $4.98 billion in January-July 2025. The country’s shipment volume fell 4.34 per cent over the period to 1.53 billion SME from 1.60 billion SME, while the average unit price declined 2.26 per cent to $3.05 per SME from $3.12 per SME.
The decline in Bangladesh’s export value was smaller than the 8.65 per cent contraction in the overall US apparel import market, while its volume decline was also lower than the global fall of 9.41 per cent. However, Bangladesh’s exports to the US weakened in the latest month, with July shipments falling 10.73 per cent year-on-year, indicating pressure on short-term momentum.
China recorded the sharpest decline among major suppliers during the period.
Chinese apparel exports to the US fell 34.21 per cent during January-July 2026 to $4.56 billion from $6.92 billion a year earlier. Its shipment volume fell 24.17 per cent over the same period to 3.14 billion SME from 4.14 billion SME, while the average unit price dropped 13.24 per cent to $1.45 per SME from $1.67 per SME.
India also faced a significant setback in the US market. Indian apparel exports fell 25.77 per cent during January-July 2026 to $2.45 billion from $3.31 billion in the same period last year. Its shipment volume fell 24.02 per cent to 706 million SME from 929 million SME, while the average unit price declined 2.30 per cent to $3.48 per SME from $3.56 per SME.
Vietnam remained the largest supplier among the countries listed in the data, despite a marginal decline in export value.
Vietnamese apparel exports to the US fell 1.03 per cent during January-July 2026 to $9.37 billion from $9.46 billion a year earlier. Its shipment volume, however, rose 0.42 per cent over the period to 2.68 billion SME from 2.67 billion SME, while the average unit price fell 1.44 per cent to $3.50 per SME from $3.55 per SME.
Cambodia and Indonesia were the only suppliers in the table to record growth in export value during the period.
Cambodia’s apparel exports to the US rose 10.48 per cent during January-July 2026 to $2.62 billion from $2.37 billion a year earlier, the strongest growth among listed suppliers. Its shipment volume rose 12.05 per cent over the same period to 867 million SME from 774 million SME, while the average unit price fell 1.40 per cent to $3.02 per SME from $3.07 per SME.
Indonesia’s apparel exports to the US rose 2.76 per cent during January-July 2026 to $2.74 billion from $2.67 billion in the previous year. Its shipment volume rose 9.44 per cent to 711 million SME from 649 million SME, although its average unit price fell 6.10 per cent to $3.86 per SME from $4.11 per SME.
Pakistan recorded a relatively moderate decline compared with several other suppliers. Its apparel exports to the US fell 5.60 per cent during January-July 2026 to $1.27 billion from $1.34 billion a year earlier. Shipment volume fell 0.50 per cent over the period to 467 million SME from 469 million SME, while the average unit price declined 5.12 per cent to $2.72 per SME from $2.86 per SME.
Mexico’s apparel exports to the US fell 10.50 per cent during January-July 2026 to $1.39 billion from $1.55 billion in the same period last year. Its shipment volume fell 21.39 per cent to 303 million SME from 386 million SME. However, Mexico recorded the highest increase in average unit price among the listed suppliers, with prices rising 13.86 per cent during the period to $4.57 per SME from $4.01 per SME.
Honduras’ apparel exports to the US fell 10.33 per cent during January-July 2026 to $1.05 billion from $1.17 billion a year earlier. Its shipment volume fell 15.70 per cent to 286 million SME from 339 million SME, while its average unit price rose 6.37 per cent to $3.67 per SME from $3.45 per SME.
The data shows a broad contraction in the US apparel market during January-July 2026, but the impact varied significantly among suppliers.
Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan recorded smaller declines than the overall market, while China and India experienced much sharper losses. Cambodia and Indonesia gained market ground in value terms, supported by growth in shipment volumes.
Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice Mohiuddin Rubel said Bangladesh’s comparatively smaller decline reflected resilience in a difficult US market environment, although the fall in July exports required continued attention.
