From January 2022 to November 2022 the European Union’s imports of readymade garments increased by 22.39 per cent compared to the same period of 2021.

The EU’s garment imports from China in the first eleven months of 2022 grew by 19.29 per cent compared to the same period of 2021. Apparel imports from Turkey increased by 11.65 per cent. The EU’s imports of readymade garments from Cambodia grew by 35.89 per cent, Vietnam by 34.16 per cent, Pakistan by 27.99 per cent, Morocco by 8.13 per cent, Sri Lanka by 17.32 per cent and Indonesia by 27.80 per cent. And imports from Bangladesh grew by 38.39 per cent. Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporter to the EU market while China and Turkey occupy the first and third highest positions respectively.

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the European Union grew by 16 per cent during the first half of the fiscal 2022-23. However Bangladesh’s apparel exporters see 2023 as being more uncertain. Every country is facing high inflationary pressure due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Despite all negative indicators, there is optimism about getting some benefits on specific items as many entrepreneurs are investing in the capacity to produce manmade fiber-based garments.