Bangladesh retained its position as the second-largest garment exporter to the US in January-July 2026, even as its apparel shipments declined amid weaker American demand.

According to data from the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), Bangladesh exported $4.66 billion worth of garments to the US during the first seven months of the year, down 6.5% from the same period in 2025. Exports also fell 10.73% in July alone.

China recorded a much sharper decline, with its garment exports to the US plunging 34.21% to $4.55 billion. The figures mean Bangladesh maintained its second-place ranking after briefly overtaking China in January-February amid higher US tariffs on Chinese imports.

According to The Daily Star, overall US apparel imports fell 8.65% year-on-year to $41.83 billion during January-July, reflecting weaker demand across the market.

Vietnam remained the leading supplier, although its exports slipped 1.03% to $9.36 billion. India’s shipments dropped 25.77% to $2.45 billion, while Pakistan’s declined 5.6% to $1.26 billion.

Meanwhile, some regional competitors bucked the downward trend. Indonesia’s exports rose 2.76% to $2.74 billion, while Cambodia recorded a stronger 10.48% increase to $2.62 billion.

The figures point to a shifting US apparel market, with higher tariffs and changing sourcing patterns putting pressure on major Asian suppliers. Bangladesh, despite the decline in exports, continues to hold a strong position in the market.

BOB Post