From January to April, Bangladesh exported $2.98 billion worth of garments to the US market—a 29.33 % increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Md Tarek Hossain: Bangladesh has recorded the highest growth in apparel exports to the United States in the first four months of 2025, according to new data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). From January to April, Bangladesh exported $2.98 billion worth of garments to the US market—a 29.33 % increase compared to the same period in 2024.

This growth is well above the global average. During the same period, the US imported a total of $26.22 billion in apparel from across the world, marking a 10.65 % rise. Other key exporters like India, Vietnam, and Pakistan also saw positive trends, but none matched the pace set by Bangladesh. Even China, despite being the largest exporter globally, showed only marginal growth.

What’s particularly striking is Bangladesh’s surge not just in value but also in volume. The number of garments exported rose by 28.3 %, indicating that buyers are placing larger orders and showing growing confidence in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector.

Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Senior Research Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), credits this success to several factors. “Bangladesh’s export growth to the US is largely due to competitive pricing, stable production, and quality supply,” he said. However, he cautioned that without a long-term vision, it may be difficult to sustain this momentum. “The global market is changing. Buyers now care not only about price, but also about environmentally responsible production, workers' rights, and on-time delivery. Bangladesh needs to show improvement in these areas to stay ahead.”

While the volume of exports is rising sharply, the price per unit tells a more complicated story. The unit price of garments from Bangladesh increased by just 0.8 %. In comparison, Vietnam managed to grow its unit price by 3.58 %, a sign that it is moving towards more value-added products. On the other hand, China, India, and Pakistan have all seen a drop in their unit prices.

Former BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel described this as a signal that price-based competition is becoming increasingly difficult. “Bangladesh is doing very well in terms of volume, but the fact that our unit price is barely rising is something we need to address,” he said. “Vietnam is showing that with better positioning, innovation, and branding, you can increase both volume and value. We need to strike that balance.”

He added that focusing on sustainable production methods, product innovation, and international branding will be key to improving Bangladesh’s pricing power. “The future is not just about how many pieces we can export,” he said. “It’s about what kind of value each piece carries.”

Industry insiders believe that part of the recent surge is due to the gradual shift of orders from China. Amid trade tensions and rising costs, many international buyers are turning to Bangladesh as a reliable alternative. The country has built a reputation for timely delivery and consistent product quality, making it an increasingly attractive sourcing destination.

However, challenges remain. The ongoing dollar crisis, rising costs of raw materials, and disruptions in shipping and logistics are putting pressure on the sector. If not addressed, these issues could slow down progress in the months ahead.

Even so, there is a sense of cautious optimism. The industry has shown resilience before, and with the right investments in technology, skills, and market expansion, Bangladesh can hold its position—and perhaps move even further ahead. Experts believe the road to long-term success will depend not just on low cost and high capacity, but on innovation, trust, and sustainability.