Amidst a growing global demand for diversified garments, Bangladeshi apparel exporters are increasingly incorporating non-cotton fibres, as indicated by a significant rise in manmade-fibre imports.
Reports maintained this adding in the past calendar year, the import of non-cotton fibres surged by over 13 per cent, showcasing the industry’s proactive response to the evolving preferences in the global clothing market.
In 2021, the global apparel market reached US $ 440 billion, with the manmade-fibre-based segment expanding to US $ 222 billion, constituting 51 per cent, while the cotton-based segment accounted for US $ 190 billion, or 42 per cent, according to research reflecting changing consumer tastes.
Bangladesh, aiming to capture a larger share of this dynamic market, imported 0.21 million tonnes of polyester and viscose fibres from January to November 2023, marking a notable 13.39 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022, according to data from the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).