Bangladesh surpasses China in ready-made garment exports to the US

Bangladesh is now the second-largest exporter of ready-made garments to the US market. This rise comes as China’s exports have fallen sharply due to countervailing duties. However, Bangladesh’s ready-made garment exports have fallen by about 8.5 percent.

In the first two months of this year (January-February), Bangladesh has surpassed China to become the top exporter of ready-made garments in the US market. Vietnam is at the top. Indonesia and India are at the fourth and fifth places, respectively.

According to the latest statistics from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEA) under the US Department of Commerce, US traders imported ready-made garments worth $11.73 billion from various countries in the first two months of this year. This import is about 13.5 percent less than the same period last year.

According to OTECA data, Vietnam is at the top of the US market with ready-made garments exports worth $2.7 billion in the first two months of this year. Their exports increased by 2.86 percent during this period.

In addition, Bangladesh exported ready-made garments worth $1.37 billion in January-February. Although Bangladesh exported ready-made garments worth $1.5 billion in the same period last year, exports have decreased by about 8.5 percent this year.

Meanwhile, China exported ready-made garments worth $1.17 billion in the first two months of this year. Their ready-made garment exports were $2.77 billion in the same period last year. Accordingly, exports have decreased by 57.65 percent this year.

Although Bangladesh and China’s exports have decreased, Indonesia’s exports have increased. Indonesia exported ready-made garments worth $810 million in the first two months of this year. This export is 4 percent more than the same period last year.