Bangladesh Textile Exports Make Remarkable Leap to World No. 2

Bangladesh rose to become the world’s second-largest textile exporter in 2025, completing one of the most significant transformations in international manufacturing over the past two decades.

The country exported an estimated $58 billion in textiles during the year, according to the International Cotton Advisory Committee. China remained the undisputed leader, while Vietnam followed Bangladesh in third place.

The ranking covers the broader textile trade rather than apparel alone. However, knitted and woven garments account for nearly 60% of global textile exports and remain the main force behind Bangladesh’s success.  Bangladesh textile exports

Bangladesh climbs from 14th to second place

Bangladesh ranked 14th among textile-exporting countries in 2006, when its exports were valued at approximately $9.9 billion.

By 2025, that figure had risen to $58 billion, placing Bangladesh behind China and slightly ahead of Vietnam. Vietnam experienced a similar transformation, moving from 21st place to third as its exports increased from $6.5 billion to about $55 billion.

China exported approximately $292 billion in textiles in 2025—around five times the value shipped by Bangladesh.

Together, China, Bangladesh and Vietnam accounted for 44.3% of global textile exports in 2025. Their combined share was only 27.6% in 2006.

The three countries also generated approximately 71% of the increase in global textile exports over the period, according to the ICAC’s Textiles Observer.

These figures illustrate how strongly textile and garment manufacturing has shifted toward Asian production centres.  Bangladesh textile exports

Garments power Bangladesh’s export expansion

Bangladesh’s rise is closely connected to its ready-made garment industry. The country has established a major presence in knitwear, T-shirts, jerseys, trousers and other high-volume clothing categories.

Recent export figures suggest that the sector retains considerable momentum.

Bangladesh’s merchandise exports increased 13.14% year over year to $4.43 billion in August 2026. Ready-made garment earnings rose 13.92% to $3.89 billion, according to Export Promotion Bureau figures reported by Textiles Resources on September 4.

Knitwear exports increased 14.88% during the month, while woven garment shipments rose 12.70%.

For the first two months of the 2026–27 fiscal year, total merchandise exports reached $9.16 billion. Ready-made garments generated approximately $7.50 billion of that amount.

The latest monthly growth has been linked to stronger demand, improved buyer confidence, greater manufacturing capacity and increasing shipments of higher-value products.

The US market presents a more complicated picture

Bangladesh’s short-term export performance is not uniformly positive across every destination.

The country overtook China to become the second-largest apparel supplier to the United States during January–July 2026, behind Vietnam. However, Bangladesh’s shipments to the US still declined 6.5% year over year to $4.66 billion.

China’s US apparel exports fell much more sharply, declining 34.21% to $4.55 billion. Vietnam remained well ahead, supplying approximately $9.36 billion in apparel to the American market.

Overall US apparel imports decreased 8.65% during the seven-month period, according to US Office of Textiles and Apparel data reported by The Daily Star on September 5.

Bangladesh therefore improved its relative position in the US partly because Chinese shipments contracted faster—not because Bangladeshi exports to that market increased.

This distinction is important. Global ranking gains do not necessarily mean uninterrupted growth in every country or reporting period.  Bangladesh textile exports

Global textile exports reach $914 billion

Global textile exports increased from approximately $560 billion in 2006 to $914 billion in 2025, representing cumulative growth of about 63%.

The market reached a record $954 billion in 2022 before falling during the following year. Despite a subsequent recovery, the 2025 total remained 4.2% below that peak.

Knitted garment exports nearly doubled over the longer period, rising from $145.2 billion to $289.1 billion. Woven garment exports increased from $158.5 billion to $257.7 billion.

The latest findings show an increasingly concentrated supply base but a more geographically dispersed customer market.

The United States remained the largest textile importer in 2025, with purchases of approximately $113.4 billion. Its share of global textile imports nevertheless fell from 18.88% in 2006 to 13.70% in 2025.

Germany remained the second-largest importer, while several European and Asian markets gained importance. This diversification could give exporters more opportunities beyond their traditional destinations. Bangladesh textile exports

Synthetic fibres challenge cotton’s market position

The rise of Bangladesh textile exports is unfolding alongside a major change in the materials used by the apparel industry.

Cotton represented approximately 68.3% of global fibre demand in 1960. By 2025, its share had fallen to 21.1%.

Synthetic fibres moved in the opposite direction, increasing their share from 4.6% to 71.7%.

This shift does not mean that cotton demand has disappeared. Cotton-based knitted garment exports increased from approximately $69.9 billion in 2006 to $128.3 billion in 2025.

However, garments made from man-made and synthetic fibres grew faster. Their knitted export value rose from $35.6 billion to approximately $99.2 billion over the same period.

In woven garments, man-made and synthetic fibres overtook cotton in export value in 2021.

Bangladeshi manufacturers able to work with a wider range of fibres, blended materials and technically advanced fabrics may be better positioned to capture future growth.

Quality will determine future competitiveness

Competitive production costs have helped Bangladesh attract international clothing buyers, but price will not be enough to preserve its position.

Brands and retailers increasingly evaluate suppliers on delivery reliability, worker safety, product traceability, energy consumption, environmental performance and the ability to manufacture higher-value clothing.

Fibre quality also matters. A study cited by the ICAC found that 64% of respondents considered cotton stickiness a significant defect affecting yarn quality.

Sticky cotton can interrupt processing, increase costs and damage the reputation of material from affected regions. Cotton associated with persistent problems may face substantial price discounts.

Seed-coat fragments create an additional concern because they can cause spinning interruptions and visible defects in dyed material.  Bangladesh textile exports

What Bangladesh’s rise means for global sourcing

Bangladesh’s advance from 14th to second place confirms that the geography of textile production has changed substantially.

China remains far ahead, but Bangladesh and Vietnam now form a powerful group of alternative suppliers. This gives international buyers more sourcing options while increasing competition over price, delivery times, quality and sustainability.

Bangladesh’s next challenge is to convert manufacturing scale into greater export value. Progress will depend on modern machinery, more efficient energy use, product diversification, better working conditions and stronger capabilities in synthetic and blended fabrics.

The country has secured an important position in the global textile economy. Maintaining it will require investment, consistent quality and the ability to respond quickly as buyer requirements and fibre demand continue to change.

Key facts about Bangladesh textile exports

• Bangladesh ranked second among global textile exporters in 2025.

• The country exported approximately $58 billion in textiles.

• Bangladesh had ranked 14th in 2006.

• China remained first with approximately $292 billion in exports.

• Vietnam ranked third with approximately $55 billion.

• The three countries controlled 44.3% of global textile exports.

• Global textile exports reached approximately $914 billion.

• Knit and woven garments represented nearly 60% of global textile exports.

• Some 2025 country figures use mirror data and should be interpreted cautiously.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bangladesh the second-largest textile exporter?

Yes. The ICAC’s analysis ranks Bangladesh second in the broader global textile-export market for 2025, behind China and ahead of Vietnam.

Is Bangladesh also the second-largest apparel supplier to the US?

Bangladesh ranked second in US apparel imports during January–July 2026, behind Vietnam. That is a separate ranking covering one market and one part of the textile industry.

How much did Bangladesh export in 2025?

Bangladesh recorded approximately $58 billion in textile exports, compared with about $9.9 billion in 2006.

Why is Bangladesh important to the global garment industry?

Bangladesh combines extensive manufacturing capacity with competitive production costs and a large workforce experienced in knitted and woven garments.

What could threaten Bangladesh’s position?

Major risks include weak demand in key markets, energy constraints, price competition, compliance costs, limited product diversification and growing demand for synthetic or technically advanced materials.

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