Bangladesh Denim Exports : Prices, Quantities , Values , Graphs Etc–2000-2011.

Bangladesh is one of the major exporter of denim jeans and apparel in the world. If fact, it is one of the fastest growing manufacturing base of denim apparel in the world. With duty free benefits to EU and impending duty free benefits to US , this country is already the third largest exporter of denim apparel to US and second largest to EU. The country has among the lowest wages in the world and for sure lowest in Asia. According to ILO report the minimum wages of $58 is the lowest in Asia and the nearest to it are the wages in Vietnam and Laos, the nearest competitors to Bangladesh, at $84. In South Asia, the minimum wage in Pakistan is $229, Nepal $151, India $121, Bhutan $108, Sri Lanka $93, and Afghanistan $89. Asian countries and much lower than that in China , India and other countries. This and availability of skilled labor makes the country very suitable for garment manufacturing.

Lets have a look at how the denim exports from Bangladesh to EU and US are faring .

Denim Jeans Exports From Bangladesh to EU 2000-2010

Jan – Sept 2010 vs Jan-Sept 2011 Prices , Quantity and Value

The exports are showing a consistent growth and it is surprising to see the high % of growth of increase in exports to EU in this year when the economy in EU is not doing well.
Lets look at what has been the break up of men’s and women’s jeans in exports from Bangladesh to EU

Note: The details of 2011 in the above two charts represent details for the first quarter .

We can clearly see that the exports of men’s jeans are much more than that of women’s jeans showing a capability of the manufacturers in Bangladesh to cater better to the jeans for men’s..

Lets look at the exports to US from Bangladesh of denim apparel :

Bangladesh to US
Jan – Sept 2010 vs Jan-Sept 2011 Prices , Quantity and Value

The overall fall in exports of apparel from world to US in 2011 has been about 14.3% and Bangladesh has had a higher % of fall showing that it is not doing as well in the US market as it is doing in the EU. However, with US considering to give Bangladesh duty free benefits on lines similar to AGOA(African Growth Oppurtunity Act) countries in Africa, Bangladesh is sure to increase its exports to US also.

Lets see the breakup of the exports to US from Bangladesh by mens and womens jeans ..

Note: The details of 2011 in the above two charts represent details for the first quarter .

We can again see that the exports of men’s denim jeans is more than that of women’s jeans from Bangladesh to USA . This reflects not only on the manufacturing strength in respect of men’s jeans but also shows that either Bangladesh is not very competitive in respect of women’s jeans or is either lacking in the speed and adaptability required to cater to the more fashion oriented women’s denim apparel market.