Dhaka:United States apparel imports fell by 6.14 percent to $56.68 billion during the January-September period of 2026, impacting exports from Bangladesh, as reported by the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) of the USA.
According to United News of Bangladesh, during the nine-month period, the import volume decreased by 8.10 percent, while the average unit price increased by 2.14 percent. Bangladesh's apparel shipments to the US saw a decline of 4.57 percent, amounting to $6.14 billion. The export volume from Bangladesh dropped by 3.65 percent, with the average unit price decreasing by 0.95 percent.
In September, Bangladesh's exports fell by 5.57 percent, following an 11.15 percent rebound in August. Despite a smaller decline compared to the overall market, Bangladesh's market share slightly shifted from 10.99 percent to 10.83 percent. Among major competitors, imports from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Indonesia increased, while significant declines were observed from China, India, and Pakistan.
Although the overall average unit price rose, five out of seven Asian suppliers, including China, experienced a price drop. Vietnam and Cambodia were the exceptions, managing to increase their prices. Bangladesh's apparel is now priced 3.5 percent below the world average, a shift from near parity last year, as noted by Mohiuddin Rubel, Founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV).