6.29 pc drop in US apparel import from BD concerning: Ex-BGMEA official

The U.S. apparel imports data by the country from January-September of 2023 and 2024 suggests that while the overall U.S. apparel import saw a slight decline, there was significant movement within the market, with some countries experiencing growth and others declined.

Total U.S. apparel imports decreased by 2.47% between Jan-Sep 2023 and Jan-Sep 2024, said Mohiuddin Rubel, former Director of BGMEA and Additional Managing Director, Denim Expert Ltd. Compared to all the reported countries, a substantial decrease in imports from Bangladesh is concerning, which is 6.29%. This is a significant drop compared to other major suppliers, he said.

However, the decline was even higher in the January-August period, meaning that a significant growth in import from Bangladesh was achieved in the month of September 2024. Several countries showed growth in apparel exports to the U.S., including Vietnam (1.27%), Cambodia (7.15%), and Pakistan (2.41%).

This suggests a shift in sourcing patterns. Varied performance of different apparel-exporting countries indicates a competitive global market which has been significantly driven by price and supply chain stability, Rubel said.