A worrying trend for Bangladesh has been brought to light by a recent report on US apparel imports: the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports to the US have significantly decreased by 6.29 per cent. Mohiuddin Rubel, Additional Managing Director of Denim Expert Ltd. and a former director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), noted that although US apparel imports fell 2.47 per cent overall between January and September 2024, Bangladesh’s performance was notable for its sharp decline.
Rubel underlined that, in comparison to other significant exporting nations, the decline in Bangladeshi imports is especially concerning. Notably, the January–August period saw a greater fall; however, September saw a return, indicating that month might see a recovery.
On the other hand, a number of foreign nations have reported an increase in their exports of clothing to the United States. While Cambodia and Pakistan showed more notable growth rates of 7.15 per cent and 2.41 per cent, respectively, Vietnam saw a more moderate increase of 1.27 per cent.
According to Rubel, these trends indicate a change in global sourcing patterns, with the disparate performance of countries that export clothing emphasising the market’s competitiveness, which is primarily driven by supply chain stability and pricing.
