Bangladesh’s share of denim trouser imports into the United States has steadily increased by 6.6 percentage points over the past seven years, rising from 14.1 per cent in 2017 to 20.7 per cent in the first nine months of 2024, despite a decline in overall US imports during the same period.

According to data released by the Office of Textiles and Apparel under the US Department of Commerce, Bangladesh’s export value of denim trouser to the US rose from $495 million in 2017 to a peak of $927 million in 2022.

After a peak in 2022, Bangladesh’s exports fell to $639 million in 2023 and further to $491 million by September 2024.

Despite global uncertainties, Bangladesh remained as one of the top exporters, competing directly with Mexico and surpassing traditional leaders like China.

The OTEXA data showed that Mexico’s share declined from 22.5 per cent in 2017 to 17.1 per cent in 2020, recovering slightly to 20.6 per cent in 2023 and dropping again to 19.6 percent by September 2024.

Despite fluctuations, Mexico remained a key supplier, leveraging its proximity to the US and advantages provided by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

China’s market share in the US denim trouser imports dropped significantly, from 25.4 per cent in 2017 to 8.5 per cent in 2022 and 10.3 per cent by September 2024.

Data also suggested that China’s decline was stark, from $892 million in 2017 to $246 million by September 2024.

Industry experts said that this aligned with global shifts in sourcing away from China due to rising costs and geopolitical factors, and Bangladesh successfully capitalised on this trend, gaining market share.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association former vice-president Abdullah Hil Rakib termed the current trend in work orders as ‘very good, including for denim items.

He expressed optimism for 2025, saying that huge work orders are coming and his factory’s outerwear capacity is already fully booked for that year.

He, however, raised concerns about the rising share in a shrinking market, attributing the decline in the denim market to changing lifestyle preferences and sustainability issues.

Rakib said that consumers are increasingly opting for functional wear, such as activewear, sportswear, and athleisure—categories that cater to women’s needs for both style and performance.

He further explained that denim is often not seen as a sustainable option, as its production requires significant water usage.

This perception is particularly strong among Gen Z and Millennials, who do not consider denim to be sustainable unless the entire production process is environmentally responsible, Rakib added.

The OTEXA data also indicated that Pakistan’s market share more than doubled in past seven years, rising from 6.0 per cent in 2017 to 12.7 per cent by September 2024.

Pakistan’s consistent growth in denim trouser exports to the US, rising from $212 million in 2017 to $302 million in the first nine months of 2024, underscored its growing competitiveness in the market.

Vietnam’s share in US denim trouser imports increased from 5.8 per cent in 2017 to 11.5 per cent by September 2024.

This growth, from $205 million in 2017 to $274 million in the first nine months of 2024, reflected the country’s strong performance, supported by trade agreements and a reputation for quality.

Cambodia also saw notable growth, although it remained smaller compared to Bangladesh, with exports rising from $93 million in 2017 to $144 million in the first nine months of 2024.

Square Denim director Syeed Ahmad Chowdhury said that Bangladesh’s increasing share in the US denim trouser market was primarily driven by buyers shifting away from China.

Additionally, Turkey’s drastic reduction in denim production also contributed to this shift, he explined.

He said that while the decline of China and Turkey played a role in Bangladesh’s market share growth, it does not imply that manufacturing in Bangladesh has not faced challenges.

Regarding the shrinking market share in the US denim market, Syeed said that US demand was growing more slowly than in the EU, with the US being Bangladesh’s single largest destination.

He also mentioned that orders from China and Turkey were increasingly shifting to Bangladesh, Mexico, and Pakistan.