United states: US apparel imports experienced a broad decline in the first half of 2026, according to recent data from the Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA). Total apparel imports fell to $35.09 billion during the January-June period of 2026, marking an 8.04 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025. The volume, measured in square metre equivalent (SME), saw a decline of 8.50 percent, although the average unit price showed a slight increase of 0.50 percent.

According to United News of Bangladesh, apparel imports from Bangladesh by the US totaled $4.01 billion in the first six months of 2026, reflecting a 5.75 percent year-on-year decrease. However, for June 2026 alone, imports from Bangladesh grew by 5.74 percent compared to June 2025, reaching $763.57 million. Among other countries, Cambodia exhibited the highest growth in import value during the January-June period at +12.32 percent, followed by Indonesia with +3.40 percent and Vietnam with +1.08 percent.

Conversely, several major supplying countries recorded declines in import value. Pakistan saw a decrease of 3.50 percent, Bangladesh 5.75 percent, India 25.27 percent, and China faced a significant drop of 37.69 percent. In terms of import volume, positive growth was achieved by Cambodia at +14.59 percent, Indonesia at +10.89 percent, Vietnam at +3.30 percent, and Pakistan at +2.26 percent. Conversely, Bangladesh’s import volume fell by 3.69 percent, India by 22.74 percent, and China by 26.30 percent.

Average unit prices experienced a reduction across all major suppliers. Vietnam and Bangladesh saw a 2.15 percent decrease, while Cambodia experienced a 1.98 percent drop. India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and China witnessed declines of 3.28 percent, 5.63 percent, 6.75 percent, and 15.46 percent, respectively. Mohiuddin Rubel, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Apparel Voice (BAV), pointed out that Bangladesh’s decline in the first half of 2026 was smaller than those of China and India, aligning more closely with Pakistan’s performance.