In what is seen as a strong indication of Bangladesh’s garment industry not yet being able to reach expected levels of product diversification, it has come to light of the country’s total export earnings from apparel, around 67 per cent is still confined to just 10 items.
According to available data from the country’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and compiled by the apex garment makers’ body of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the 10 most exported apparel products accounted for US $ 30.94 billion of the country’s US $ 45.70 billion apparel export earnings last year.
Knitted cotton T-shirts saw the highest exports last year, registering earnings of US $ 8.93 billion with roughly 26 per cent year-on-year growth even as men’s woven trousers were the second highest earner, registering about 23 per cent year-on-year growth while women’s trousers were the third largest export item, earning US $ 3.63 billon with year-on-year growth of 19.10 per cent and, cotton jerseys and pullovers took the fourth position in terms of earnings, closely followed by those made of manmade fibre (MMF) at fifth.
