Bangladesh Sourcing Guide & Key Manufacturing Facts: 2025 Edition
Is Bangladesh a viable Diversification option for you?
Welcome to the Bangladesh Country Guide
Whether you're exploring alternatives to China or scaling your Bangladesh operations, this guide brings you practical data, sourcing insights, and on-the-ground context to help you move smart.
Want to go deeper? Create a profile to connect with others already sourcing from Bangladesh — as well as experts based in-country who can help you move faster with fewer blind spots.
Bangladesh Country Guide: Overview
- ➤ Bangladesh’s Garments industry is the world’s 3rd-largest exporter after China, dominating 82% of its exports..
- ➤ The U.S. is the largest importer of Bangladesh’s garment.
- ➤ Bangladesh maintains competitive labor costs at around half the hourly rate compared to China and India.
- ➤ Bangladesh’s supply chain strengths span but complexity remains. See Navigating Bangladesh below for practical challenges and solutions.
Curious how to make Bangladesh work for your business?
Destination of Bangladesh Exports
Primary Market of Bangladesh Export 2024
Top Tips for Sourcing from Bangladesh
- ➤ Focus on Bangladesh’s manufacturing backbone — garment, mainly knitwear and ready-made garment.
- ➤ Be aware of the delivery time and quality gap if you are new to Bangladesh.
- ➤ Vet factories for export-readiness — even mid-sized suppliers may lack QC systems or scale for global orders.
- ➤ Work with local agents, inspectors, or sourcing pros who know the regional nuances and factory tiers.
Want deeper insight or local support? Creating a profile connects you with real Bangladesh sourcing pros — people on the ground who can help you avoid common blind spots and move with more confidence.
Bangladesh Opportunities & Challenges at a Glance
➤ Bangladesh is the 3rd largest supplier of garment to US market after China and Vietnam, an attractive alternative to China
- ➤ Compared to tech-savvy and trained Chinese workers, Bangladeshi workers are strong in manual sewing, assembly, stitching, finishing.
- ➤ Gaps in QC, factory scale, and communication can slow or derail new partnerships
- ➤ Works best when paired with local agents or on-the-ground insight — especially in non-FDI sectors
Key Export Manufacturing Industries
Primary Export industries in 2024
Export of Bangladesh by Sector
Primary Export of Bangladesh in 2024
Key Export Sectors at a Glance
Bangladesh’s top sectors shape what’s possible in sourcing — from supplier access to timelines and product consistency.
- ➤ Apparel is Bangladesh's traditional strength, backed up by 4 million workers.
- ➤ Bangladesh is the 2nd largest jute producing country in the world
Skilled Labor & Sourcing Challenges
- ➤ Compared to tech-savvy and trained Chinese workers, Bangladeshi workers are strong in manual sewing, assembly, stitching, finishing, but not yet at scale for mechatronics, robotics, or CAD/CAM-based design.
- ➤ Output per manufacturing worker in Bangladesh is roughly 1/3 of China’s and half of Bangladesh’s in dollar terms.
- ➤ Delays still happen — especially at smaller ports or during peak seasons.
- ➤ These are solvable with local support — agents, inspectors, and prep make all the difference.
If you're navigating these sourcing challenges, you're not alone. Creating a profile gives you access to deeper insight from experts on the ground — and lets you connect in real time with others facing similar hurdles in our growing community.
Labor Productivity in Bangladesh
GDP/hour worked, 2017 international $ at Purchasing Power Parity
Why Bangladesh Still Stands Out
With rising costs in China and growing trade uncertainty, Bangladesh has become the go-to choice for importers seeking cost-effective production in the garment industry. It offers deep manufacturing experience, sector-specific advantages, and a young, scalable workforce. Add to that its export infrastructure and trade-friendly policies — and you’ve got a sourcing destination built for what’s next.
Got a sourcing question or stuck on strategy? Create your profile and get connected with people who can help — including those already sourcing from Bangladesh.