Bangladeshi woven fabric imports drop almost 26%
Bangladeshi imports of woven fabrics declined by volume in the first seven months of 2023, due to shortening of garment delivery lead times.
Import shipments of woven fabrics by Bangladesh slipped 25.9 percent between January and July 2023, when compared with similar months of the previous year.
“Between January and July 2023, woven fabric imports totaled 269,667 tons compared to 364,232 tons in the first seven months of 2022,” data from Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) said.
Experts attribute the same to an increase in domestic production of woven fabrics as well as global garment buyers seeking shorter lead times in delivery of garments.
Since 2022, apparel retailers and brands have reduced lead times to between 50 and 60 days when compared with 90 to 120 days earlier.
“In order to ship clothing within these shortened lead times, Bangladeshi garment exporters began sourcing woven fabrics from domestic producers,” media reports informed.
Garment exporters were forced to purchase fabrics from the local market, as imports of fabrics from other countries takes between 30 to 45 days to reach them after placement of orders.
The global retailers and brands are now replying on shipments by air to receive deliveries faster as against the traditional method of sending through sea.
