Bangladesh is expecting higher exports of T-shirts in the coming season because of an extended summer witnessed in the West.
The world’s largest cotton T-shirt producer is already receiving big quantity of work orders and more is expected to come, thanks to global pattern of sourcing shift from China.
“There has been a prolonged summer in the US and Europe this year. That’s why we are having more orders of T-shirts,” Mohammad Hatem, Vice President, Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB), told Apparel Resources.
In 2017, Bangladesh was the top exporter of cotton-made T-shirts in the world, earning over US $ 5.1 billion, according to an independent research organisation.
According to manufacturers and exporters, Bangladesh is a renowned hotspot for souring cotton-made T-shirts in the world. It is one product that the manufacturers have specialised in making.
But, there is a new global phenomenon taking place now that might just be changing the game for Bangladesh – the ongoing trade war between two giant economies.
IS THIS A BLESSING OF THE TRADE WAR?
It might be, according to experts worldwide and local stakeholders.
Reports prepared by international think-tanks and independent research organisations have shown that buyers are looking to pursue a China plus sourcing strategy which will benefit other competing countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, India and others.
“Buyers are moving away from China,” says EAB Vice President Hatem. “The void that is being created by the shift is too big. I don’t think that the other competing countries can fill the void. But it is an opportunity for us.”
However, an adverse effect of this shift is that buyers are still pursuing for the lowest cost manufacturing. And hence, the orders filling the readymade garment factories now are low budget orders.
“Buyers don’t want to pay. They are placing orders all right, but they want it cheap… they won’t compromise on quality though,” says Hatem.