Regarding fashion, the global garment trade paints the real picture of worldwide fashion consumption. Behind the labels “Made in…” on your clothing are the world’s largest garment exporter, ensuring the racks of your favorite stores never run empty. These exporting powerhouses drive the global fashion industry and contribute significantly to their respective economies.
In this blog post, I will explore the top 10 countries leading the global garment export market, giving you a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes of your wardrobe.
Who Is World’s Largest Garment Exporter: Top 10 Countries
As the fashion industry continues to expand and evolve, countries continue to vie for the coveted title of the world’s largest garment exporter. According to the World Trade Statistical Review 2023 report, the top 10 apparel exporting countries are as follows:
#1. China
China remains the top garment exporter in the world, contributing 31.8% of the total global exports in 2022. With a population of over 1.3 billion, China’s garment industry employs a vast workforce and offers global consumers a wide range of products. The country’s apparel exports are driven by its ability to produce high-quality, low-cost goods with fast turnaround times. However, rising labour costs and competition from other countries have put pressure on China’s garment industry in recent years. But still worldwide apparel sourcing highly dependent on the Chinese manufacturers.
#2. Bangladesh
Despite facing challenges from other countries in Asia, Bangladesh has managed to maintain its position as the second-largest garment exporter in the world, with a market share of 6.3% in 2022. The country has a large and growing workforce, with over 4 million people employed in the garment industry. Bangladesh is known for producing low-cost, basic apparel items such as t-shirts and jeans and has recently started to expand into more sophisticated and value-added products.
To learn more, how Bangladesh became one of the top clothing exporters, check out the blog.
#3. Vietnam
Vietnam has emerged as a major player in the global garment industry, holding onto the third position with a market share of 6.0% in 2022. The country has a young and dynamic workforce and a favourable investment climate for foreign businesses. Vietnam’s garment exports are diverse, with the country producing everything from casual wear to high-end fashion products. However, like Bangladesh, Vietnam is also facing challenges from rising labour costs and increasing competition from other countries.
#4. Turkey
Turkey is the fourth-largest apparel exporter in the world, with a market share of 3.4% in 2022. The country is known for producing high-quality, trendy clothing items at competitive prices and has a reputation for timely delivery and good customer service. Turkey’s garment industry has been thriving in recent years due in part to its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, making it a key strategic hub for global trade.
#5. India
India is the fifth-largest garment exporter in the world, with a market share of 3.3% in 2022. The country has a large and diverse garment industry, ranging from small-scale, artisanal production to large-scale, high-tech manufacturing. India is known for producing a wide range of apparel items, from traditional ethnic wear to cutting-edge fashion pieces. However, the country has faced challenges in recent years from rising labour costs and competition from other countries.
#6. Italy
Italy is one of the world’s most important fashion and textile centres, with a rich history and tradition of craftsmanship. The country is the sixth-largest apparel exporter in the world, with a market share of 2.7% in 2022. Italy is known for producing high-quality, luxury fashion items that consumers around the world highly value. The Italian garment industry is characterized by small and medium-sized enterprises specializing in niche products and having strong brand recognition.
#7. Germany
Germany is the seventh-largest apparel exporter in the world, with a market share of 2.6% in 2022. The country has a strong reputation for quality and innovation in the garment industry, with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility. German apparel companies are known for using high-tech manufacturing processes and cutting-edge materials to create innovative and durable products.
#8. USA
The United States is the eighth-largest apparel exporter in the world, with a market share of 2.4% in 2022. The country has a large and diverse garment industry, ranging from small-scale domestic production to large-scale, high-tech manufacturing. The U.S. garment industry is known for producing high-quality, fashionable clothing items that reflect the country’s cultural and style diversity.
#9. Spain
Spain is the ninth-largest apparel exporter in the world, with a market share of 2.2% in 2022. The country has a strong textile and garment industry characterized by small and medium-sized companies specializing in high-quality, fashionable clothing items. Spain’s garment exports are known for their vibrant colours, bold designs, and attention to detail.
#10. Malaysia
Malaysia is the tenth-largest apparel exporter in the world, with a market share of 1.9% in 2022. The country has a growing garment industry, which is supported by a skilled workforce and strong government policies. Malaysia’s garment exports are focused on high-quality, innovative products that incorporate traditional elements with modern designs and materials.
How Big Is the Global Apparel Industry?
The revenue of the global apparel market was calculated to amount to 1.53 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022, a slight decrease from the previous year. However, revenue was forecast to increase 2023 to more than 1.7 trillion dollars. The apparel industry is expected to continue to grow at a steady rate over the next few years.
By 2025, the global apparel market is estimated to reach 2 trillion U.S. dollars in revenue, with China and India accounting for a combined share of 43%. The Asia Pacific region is expected to remain the largest region globally and account for more than half of the total market. The increasing demand for fashionable, affordable clothing is expected to drive the industry’s growth in the coming years.
In 2021, the apparel and footwear e-commerce industry was estimated to be worth 492 billion U.S. dollars globally and was projected to reach 602 billion by 2025. This reflects a growing trend amongst customers towards the convenience of online shopping for apparel items and the increase in demand for quality products at competitive prices. This is an exciting time for the global garment industry, as the online market provides more opportunities for growth than ever before.
With a booming e-commerce industry, innovative designs and fabrics, and strong government support, it’s no surprise that China is the world’s largest garment exporter. It’s estimated that Chinese apparel exports contribute to over one-third of the world’s share of clothing exports. In 2021, China was on track to export around $220 billion worth of clothing, textiles, and accessories, which is a 5% growth compared to 2020.
In addition to China’s prominent roles in the global garment industry, other countries are also making strides. Bangladesh is now the world’s second-largest ready-made garments exporter, and Vietnam is also becoming a major player. As each country continues to invest in its textile manufacturing capabilities, they become more competitive on the global market while offering customers high-quality apparel at an affordable cost.
As the global garment industry grows, the demand for ethical and sustainable production is also increasing. Many countries are now implementing regulations to ensure that workers in these industries are treated fairly and provided with safe working conditions.
Furthermore, companies are investing more resources into researching environmentally friendly materials and production methods, making conscious efforts to reduce their footprint and protect our planet.
Who Is the No. 1 Garments Exporter in Bangladesh?
Ha-Meem Group is a prominent Bangladeshi company that has significantly contributed to the growth and development of the nation’s textile and garments sector.
As one of the largest groups, Ha-Meem Group has emerged as a top clothing company in Bangladesh, specializing in the production of ready-made garments and denim fabric that are exported worldwide. Due to the company’s successful history of working with renowned customers and buyers, Ha-Meem Group is recognized as the most valued and reputed Bangladesh clothing manufacturer.
With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, Ha-Meem Group produces more than 7 million pieces of woven garments monthly, with an assortment of infant to adult men’s and women’s clothing. The company has 26 garment factories, a denim mill, a sweater factory, an embroidery and printing factory, a carton factory, a poly bag industry, a label factory, a jute mill, a chemical formulation plant, tea gardens, a transport company, a news channel, and a national daily newspaper, among others.
In addition, there is an overseas office in Hong Kong and China, which ensures the fastest procurement of fabrics and accessories. In contrast, the company’s C & F office in every Bangladeshi port offers privileged quick clearing and forwarding support.
Due to Ha-Meem Group’s overall growth and success over the years, it has become one of the top clothing companies in Bangladesh, known for its quality products, exceptional services, and unparalleled professionalism. As a result, Ha-Meem Group has become a leading garment exporter in Bangladesh, with its products reaching various countries worldwide, including the United States and Europe.
Conclusion:
The international apparel industry is highly competitive, and the leading exporters are nations that have invested in their garment industries. Countries such as China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey, Germany, the USA, Spain, and Malaysia are all major players on the world stage regarding garment exports.
Each of these countries has a unique approach to producing high-quality garments for international markets, offering various styles and designs to meet the global demand. With an estimated market share of $717 billion in 2022, the world’s largest garment exporters are well-positioned to remain competitive in the coming years.
