Emerging as the top-performing apparel supplier to the United States, Bangladesh posted the strongest year-over-year growth among its global competitors in Q1, FY25.

Figures from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) show, Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the US increased by 26.64 per cent to $2.22 billion from January-March 2025.

India followed with a growth of 24.04 per cent in clothing exports to the US, while Pakistan, Vietnam, and China saw growth rates of 17.49 per cent, 13.96 per cent, and 4.18 per cent, respectively.

Overall, the US’ apparel imports rose to 10.95 per cent Y-o-Y to 20.05 billion during the quarter.

The volume of Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the US also increased by 25.24 per cent, indicating rising demand and production capacity. The highest volume growth was registered by India with a rise of 27.17 per cent followed by Pakistan at 19.94 per cent, Vietnam at 9.14 per cent, and China at 2.30 per cent trailed behind.

Looking at average prices per unit, Vietnam recorded the biggest increase at 4.42 per cent, followed by China (1.83 per cent) and Bangladesh (1.12 per cent). However, India and Pakistan reported -2.46 per cent and -2.04 per cent decline in prices respectively.

Asif Ashraf, Managing Director, Urmi Group and a leading apparel exporter from the country, attribtues this growth to Bangladesh's success in shipping more high-value products.

However, future performance could be impacted by Trump's recent tariff hikes, he warns. Mohiuddin Rubel, Former Director, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), notes, China's export growth to the U.S. didn't keep pace with the overall rise in US apparel imports. This suggests that Bangladesh has captured some of the market share China is losing, he observed.