Bangladesh Apparel Exports Reach US$3.1 Billion in September as Vietnam Pulls Ahead
Bangladesh’s apparel exports reached US$3.1 billion in September 2026, up 9% year-on-year. That took January to September 2026 shipments to US$29.9 billion against US$29.4 billion a year earlier. The 2% cumulative gain trails the 14% monthly rise in August, when exports reached US$3.6 billion. Monthly momentum has returned, but share data across key import markets shows the gains are not accruing evenly.
Bangladesh’s Export Performance
Knitwear contributed US$1.8 billion in September, a 58% share, and wovenwear US$1.3 billion, a 42% share. Both segments grew 9% year-on-year.
By destination in August 2026, exports to the EU27 rose 8% to US$1.51 billion. Spain stood at US$0.41 billion (up 9%), Germany at US$0.33 billion (up 7%), and the Netherlands at US$0.21 billion (up 12%). The US and Japan each grew 22%, with the US at US$0.8 billion. Canada was the only major market to decline, down 2%.
Where Bangladesh Stands Among Key Exporters
Bangladesh ranked third in August 2026, behind Vietnam. Vietnam’s exports are up 17% for January to August, against 1% for Bangladesh over the same period. Latest-month exports for key suppliers:
- China: US$15.3 Bn, up 12%
- Vietnam: US$4.0 Bn, up 22%
- Bangladesh: US$3.6 Bn, up 14%
- Italy: US$2.1 Bn, down 2% (May 2026 data)
- India: US$1.2 Bn, down 3%
- Turkey: US$1.0 Bn, down 12% (June 2026 data)
- Sri Lanka: US$0.4 Bn, up 1% (July 2026 data)
Share Pressure in Import Markets
Through July 2026, Bangladesh held 10% of US apparel imports, unchanged from 2025. Its EU share eased to 20% from 22%, and its UK share fell to 13% from 17%. China’s share rose to 34% in the EU from 30% and to 17% in the US from 14%. Vietnam advanced to 23% of US imports from 21%.
Demand Backdrop
Combined apparel imports across the US, EU, UK, and Japan were US$129.0 billion for January to July, down 0.4%. US imports fell 11% in July to US$6.9 billion, while EU imports rose 1% to US$10.0 billion. US apparel store sales reached US$20.4 billion in August, up 1%. UK online clothing sales grew 19% in Q2 2026 to £5.1 billion.
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The full report tracks monthly apparel trade, sourcing, and retail data across the US, EU, UK, and Japan, with Bangladesh’s exports by segment and market benchmarked against China, Vietnam, India, Italy, Turkey, and Sri Lanka, showing where the monthly rebound is converting into share and where it is not.
