China powers over 80% of Bangladesh’s textile and apparel supply chain
China has become an indispensable partner for Bangladesh’s apparel and textile industry, acting as the largest source of machinery, raw materials, and accessories. This partnership fuels Bangladesh’s $47 billion ready-made garment (RMG) sector, becoming the world’s second-largest apparel exporter after China itself.
According to data from the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission (BTTC), about 80% of the raw materials used in Bangladesh’s apparel industry now originate from China. The dependency extends from cotton and synthetic fibers to yarn, fabrics, dyes, chemicals, and machine parts. China is the undisputed backbone of Bangladesh’s textile ecosystem now.
Dominance in apparel raw materials
Bangladesh’s apparel exports rely heavily on imported raw materials, particularly for the woven segment. BTTC data reveals that nearly 80% of woven fabrics used in garment production are sourced directly from China. Even in knitwear, where Bangladesh has a comparatively stronger backward linkage, 15–20% of raw materials and up to 80% of chemicals and accessories are imported from Chinese suppliers.
In FY2024–25, Bangladesh imported textile and garment raw materials worth $18.44 billion, with nearly 80 % sourced from China, according to the commission. These imports include cotton, yarn, man-made fibers (MMF), and other intermediate materials essential for the country’s apparel exports.
Industry leaders say the growing dominance of man-made fiber apparel in global fashion is accelerating this dependency. China remains the leading producer and exporter of MMF-based textiles, which are essential for meeting evolving buyer demand for sustainable, high-performance fabrics. Bangladesh is now almost entirely reliant on China for synthetic fibers and technical fabrics. For artificial yarns and fabrics, there’s practically no substitute for China.
Machinery imports are driving modernization.
Beyond raw materials, China has also become Bangladesh’s top source for textile and garment machinery, from spinning and weaving units to dyeing, finishing, and garmenting equipment.
According to the Bangladesh Bank’s 2023–24 annual report, China accounted for about 22.6% Bangladesh’s total imports of machinery and mechanical appliances, worth $4.36 billion. Data from the China Sewing Machinery Association show that Chinese sewing machine exports to Bangladesh reached approximately $126 million during January–November 2024, a 25.8% year-on-year increase, making Bangladesh the fifth-largest market for Chinese sewing machines. Over the past decade, Bangladesh’s industrial base has undergone large-scale modernization, primarily fueled by Chinese capital machinery imports.
Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said, “Bangladesh began importing capital machinery from China as soon as the country shifted its focus to export-oriented production.” He also added, “Previously, machinery used to come from Germany, the US, or South Korea. But China now offers cost-effective solutions with faster delivery and reliable service.”
This cost advantage allows small and medium factories to modernize production and remain globally competitive despite tightening margins.
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