Bangladesh’s position in the global apparel trade has come under renewed pressure as its export growth lags behind global trends. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), global apparel exports grew by 4.46 percent this year, while Bangladesh’s growth was only 0.89 percent. The country’s market share fell from 7 percent in 2024 to 6.76 percent, reversing earlier gains. In contrast, Vietnam’s export value reached 37.51 billion dollars in 2025, just 1.31 billion dollars below Bangladesh’s 38.82 billion, sharply narrowing the gap from previous years.

The WTO data indicates that Vietnam and Cambodia have become key drivers of global apparel trade expansion, benefiting from China’s shrinking market share. Cambodia’s exports grew by 16.88 percent and Vietnam’s by 10.53 percent, while Bangladesh failed to capitalize on shifting orders. Industry analyst Mohiuddin Rubel attributed Vietnam’s advantage to free trade agreements, shorter lead times, better port management, and stable supply chains. He added that Bangladesh’s garment sector remains strong but needs policy support and a business-friendly environment to regain momentum.

Export data from Eurostat and Otexa show sharp declines in Bangladesh’s shipments to the EU and US. The Export Promotion Bureau has recommended a 58 billion dollar export target for 2026–27, urging diversification beyond garments.