Washington: USA’s apparel import volume from Bangladesh has witnessed a significant rise of 26.62 percent, even as the overall apparel import volume to the USA decreased by 5.30 percent in the period from 2015 to 2024.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this growth in Bangladesh’s apparel exports stands out amid varied changes experienced by its competitors. China saw a significant decrease of 18.36 percent, while Vietnam and India experienced increases of 32.96 percent and 34.13 percent, respectively. In contrast, Indonesia encountered a 19.82 percent decrease, and Cambodia saw an increase of 10.78 percent. Notably, Bangladesh’s import volume rose by 26.62 percent, showcasing its resilience and growth in the US market.
In terms of unit prices, there has been a global drop of 1.71 percent. China and India witnessed declines of 33.80 percent and 4.56 percent, respectively, whereas Vietnam and Indonesia experienced increases of 6.64 percent and 7.38 percent. Cambodia’s unit price surged by 38.31 perce
nt, and Bangladesh recorded a positive change of 7.30 percent.
Industry insiders, like Mohiuddin Rubel, former director of Brand BGMEA, indicate that Bangladesh is maintaining a unit price level comparable to the average price the USA pays globally. However, when analyzing close competitors like Vietnam and India, it becomes evident that there is significant potential for Bangladesh to enhance its unit price. Such an improvement could lead to a substantial increase in export volume without raising the quantity exported.
Rubel, who is also the Managing Director of Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and Additional MD of Denim Expert Ltd, emphasized that the data indicates competitors are offering more value-added products, which is crucial for strengthening Bangladesh’s market position. He highlighted the importance of focusing on value-added products, drawing parallels with the export dynamics of China and Vietnam in 2024. Despite their export values being nearly equal, Vietnam’s export volume is less than half of
China’s due to its higher export of value-added products, with a per-unit price of US $3.59 compared to China’s US $1.78.
“Focusing on value-added products will be essential for Bangladesh to enhance its export volume and market competitiveness,” Rubel added.