US apparel imports from around the world have declined, and the impact has reached Bangladesh’s exports. However, Bangladesh’s decline is smaller than the overall contraction in the US market and that of several major competitor countries.
Data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) compiled by Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV) show that US total apparel import value fell 7.42 per cent in January–August 2026 from the same period last year. Bangladesh’s imports fell 4.43 per cent.
In the first eight months of 2025, US apparel imports from Bangladesh were worth about $5,644 million. In the same period this year, they fell to about $5,393 million, a decline of about $250 million.
Among listed countries, China posted the steepest decline in total import value at 29.39 per cent. India followed at 26.44 per cent. Mexico fell 9.24 per cent and Honduras 8.44 per cent. Bangladesh’s decline was much lower than these countries.
Cambodia and Indonesia, however, posted growth in the shrinking market, with US apparel import value from the two countries rising 6.91 per cent and 2.58 per cent respectively. Vietnam’s imports fell only 0.76 per cent, while Pakistan’s fell 3.83 per cent.
Bangladesh’s apparel volume also declined. In square metre equivalents, or SME, US imports from Bangladesh stood at about 1,805 million SME in January–August 2025. In the same period this year, it was about 1,756 million SME, a decline of 2.75 per cent.
The sharper fall in import value compared with volume is linked to a decline in Bangladesh’s average unit price. In the first eight months of last year, the average price per SME of Bangladeshi apparel was $3.13. This year it was $3.07, a fall of 1.73 per cent.
Overall, the average price per SME of US apparel imports rose from $3.13 last year to $3.18 this year, a growth of 1.71 per cent. While overall average prices rose,
Among listed countries, China’s average unit price fell the most at 9.93 per cent. Indonesia fell 5.49 per cent and Pakistan 3.57 per cent. Mexico’s average unit price rose 15.02 per cent and Honduras 6.68 per cent.
Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, said the decline in overall US apparel imports affected Bangladesh and other exporting countries. Bangladesh’s position, however, is comparatively better, he said. While US total apparel imports fell about 7.5 per cent, Bangladesh’s fell about 4.5 per cent. It would not be right to assess Bangladesh’s position as bad just by looking at negative growth, he said.
He said export data analysis should consider recent monthly trends and competitor positions alongside year-on-year comparisons. He does not see the current situation as a major negative signal.
He said if Bangladesh can take advantage of its tariff structure advantages over competitors, export results could improve in the next three to four months, with the possibility of returning to near-zero or positive growth. However, focus must be on increasing production capacity and removing existing gaps.
M A Razzaq, chairman of Rapid, said the shrinking US apparel import market has reduced exports from Bangladesh and other countries. Bangladesh faces risk because its export earnings depend mainly on the ready-made garment sector, with no large alternative export sector developed. Vietnam, Thailand and India have more diversified export sectors and can offset garment losses through other sectors, he said. Even so, Bangladesh’s position is comparatively better in terms of the overall US decline.
