Bangladesh’s apparel export growth lost significant momentum in 2025, expanding at just 0.89%, far below the global apparel trade growth of 4.46%, according to the latest World Trade Organization (WTO) data. The figures indicate that Bangladesh is gradually losing market share while regional competitors, particularly Vietnam and Cambodia, continue to strengthen their positions.
After outperforming the global average in 2024, Bangladesh’s slower growth has resulted in its share of global apparel exports declining from 7.00% in 2024 to 6.76% in 2025, reversing much of the progress achieved a year earlier.
Vietnam Narrowing the Gap
The WTO data also highlights Vietnam’s rapid rise. The country’s apparel exports reached US$37.51 billion in 2025, only US$1.31 billion behind Bangladesh’s US$38.82 billion.
The gap has narrowed dramatically over the past three years—from US$4.67 billion in 2023 to US$2.54 billion in 2024, and now to just US$1.31 billion. Vietnam’s global market share has climbed to 6.53%, compared with Bangladesh’s 6.76%, leaving a difference of only 0.23 percentage points.
With Vietnam recording 10.53% export growth in 2025—more than ten times Bangladesh’s growth rate—the country appears well positioned to challenge Bangladesh’s long-held position as the world’s second-largest apparel exporter if current trends continue.
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Cambodia Emerges as Fastest Growing Competitor
Another notable trend is Cambodia’s strong export performance, with apparel exports growing 16.88% in 2025. The data suggests that the benefits of China’s continued export contraction are increasingly flowing to Vietnam and Cambodia rather than Bangladesh.
China’s apparel exports declined by 4.92% during the year. However, unlike previous years when Bangladesh captured part of the shifting sourcing demand, the latest figures indicate that other Asian suppliers have become the primary beneficiaries.
A Wake-Up Call for Bangladesh
Industry observers say the latest WTO data reflects a changing competitive landscape where buyers are increasingly rewarding countries that offer higher productivity, diversified product portfolios, stronger supply chain resilience, and faster lead times.
The slowdown comes at a time when Bangladesh is preparing for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and facing rising production costs, compliance investments, and increasing competition from regional manufacturing hubs.
The data underscores the need for Bangladesh to accelerate investments in product diversification, value addition, automation, innovation, man-made fibre capabilities, and trade competitiveness to sustain its leadership in the global apparel market.
The analysis was shared by Mohiuddin Rubel, Founder & CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice, based on the latest WTO apparel trade statistics.