Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States (US) declined in the first two months of 2026, although the country retained a double-digit market share.
According to data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), US apparel imports from Bangladesh fell 17.18 per cent year on year in February to $581.19 million.
For January–February, exports dropped 8.53 per cent to $1.37 billion. Despite the decline, Bangladesh secured a 10.53 per cent share of the US apparel import market in February, slightly ahead of China, which held 10.36 per cent with shipments worth $571.78 million.
Vietnam remained the top exporter, capturing 22.02 per cent of the market with exports totalling $1.22 billion.
Industry insiders said Bangladesh’s ability to maintain market share despite lower earnings indicates relative resilience against key competitors.
Former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Mohiuddin Rubel said the decline reflects weak consumer demand in the US rather than a loss of competitiveness.
“Overall imports by the US have dropped significantly. So even though our exports declined, our position in the market has not deteriorated sharply,” he said.
Vietnam and Cambodia posted export growth of 2.86 per cent and 18.43 per cent respectively during January–February, while China’s sharp decline created opportunities for Bangladesh, he added.
Export performance weakened on both volume and price fronts. Shipment volume fell 14.64 per cent in February to 193.59 million square metre equivalents (SME), while the average unit price declined 2.97 per cent to $3.00 per SME.
For January–February, export volume dropped 6.21 per cent and unit prices fell 2.47 per cent. Among competitors, Vietnam strengthened its position with steady growth, while Cambodia posted strong gains driven by higher shipment volumes.
China experienced a steep contraction, contributing to a fall in its market share, while Indonesia recorded moderate growth.
India and Pakistan saw notable declines, while Mexico and Honduras also recorded decreases in both exports and market share.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Executive President Fazle Shamim Ehsan said maintaining a double-digit market share is positive, but falling prices remain a concern.
“Maintaining over 10 per cent market share is positive, but the declining unit price is a concern,” he said. “Without value addition, sustaining growth in such a competitive market will be difficult,” he added.
Industry experts said Bangladesh needs to focus on product diversification, efficiency and shorter lead times as buyers continue to push for lower prices amid subdued global demand.
