In the last eight months, Bangladeshi garment export prices have dropped from 8 per cent to 16 per cent year over year due to a decline in consumer demand brought on by significant inflationary pressure.
According to data from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), apparel exports from Bangladesh have experienced a declining trend in volume in major countries, in addition to a decline in prices.
For example, during the July–April period of the 2023–24 fiscal year, garment imports from the US fell by 7 per cent, while those from the EU fell by 13 per cent, according to BGMEA data.
Garment export increased by 4.97 per cent year-on-year in the 10 months to April this year, down from the 9.09 per cent year-on-year growth posted in the same period previous year.
However, at a meeting with reporters from various print, television, and internet media outlets at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka, BGMEA President SM Mannan Kochi stated that during the last five years, the cost of production has increased by 50 per cent and the bank interest rate by 15 per cent. According to him, rising gas, electricity, and labour costs have raised the cost of production.
Additionally, Kochi stated that the Government’s decision to forbid investment outside of special economic zones (SEZs) and export processing zones (EPZs) will have a detrimental effect on foreign direct investment entering the nation.
He urged the Government to review the decision and give the go-ahead to make investments and set up factories outside of the SEZs and EPZs so new investments come and new factories are set up.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
