Sweater next big item in apparel export basket

Rising temperatures, shifting of orders from China, and changes in fashion have all made Bangladesh a major manufacturer of sweaters in recent years.

In the past, western consumers used to don sweaters only during the winter season but now they wear lightweight sweaters all year round as a fashion item.

Besides, the temperature has gone up in many cold countries because of climate change, driving down the demand for thick sweaters and pushing up the consumption of lightweight sweaters.

Officegoers also use them as casual dresses.

For instance, consumers in the European Union and the United States are preferring light sweaters to thick sweaters.

In another development, Chinese manufacturers are no longer interested in manufacturing sweaters because of the complexities in the production process, higher cost of production, and shortage of skilled workers.

The demand for sweaters is rising worldwide because of the changes in fashion trends as well. In fact, sweaters have turned into an all-weather fashion item.

Today, Bangladesh is a major supplier of lightweight sweaters and international retailers and brands are coming up with higher orders for the items.

The earnings from the shipment of sweaters are growing from Bangladesh.

Sweater exports climbed 39.25 per cent year-on-year to $5.64 billion in the last financial year. It was $4.05 billion in 2020-21, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau compiled by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

The segment's earnings represented 13.23 per cent of the total garment export value of $42.61 billion in 2021-22.

In order to raise their share in the global sweater market worth more than $100 billion, local entrepreneurs have invested to expand their capacity.

A good number of factories are also making outerwear and jackets. And it is expected that the country may emerge as a major outerwear and jacket manufacturing hub in the future as well.