Bangladesh’s footwear industry registered striking growth in the 2024-25 fiscal year, helping the country strengthen its presence in the global shoe market at a time when export diversification is an urgent national priority. According to government export data, Bangladesh has climbed into the ranks of the world’s 18th largest footwear exporter, with earnings from shoe shipments climbing more than 34 per cent in the year ending June 2025 compared with the previous fiscal year.
The latest figures from the Export Promotion Bureau show that both leather and non-leather footwear categories contributed to the expansion, backed by rising demand from markets in Europe, North America and Asia. Leather footwear exports alone grew significantly, while non-leather segments such as rubber and synthetic shoes saw robust double-digit increases, reflecting changing global preferences and Bangladesh’s ability to cater to diverse buyer needs.
Industry participants attribute the surge to a combination of competitive labour costs, improving production capacity and shifting sourcing strategies among international buyers looking beyond traditional footwear hubs. Bangladesh’s relatively lower production costs compared with some East Asian competitors have helped it secure new contracts with global brands, industry analysts say.
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Despite this progress, Bangladesh’s overall export profile remains heavily dominated by ready-made garments, which accounted for more than 80 per cent of total merchandise exports in the full 2024-25 fiscal year. The country posted around $48.28 billion in total exports for that period, with apparel at the core of that performance.
Exporters and trade experts say the footwear sector’s rapid growth provides a useful blueprint for broader diversification, urging policymakers to support infrastructure upgrades, skill development and compliance with international quality and environmental standards. Strengthening logistic networks and trade agreements could further enhance Bangladesh’s competitiveness in higher-value product categories, they say.
As global trade patterns evolve and consumers demand more sustainable and varied products, Bangladesh’s footwear industry is emerging as one of the promising non-garment segments in the nation’s export portfolio. Growth in this sector may offer a buffer against volatility in garment markets and help pave the way for future industrial expansion.
