Clothing retailers and brands are flocking to Bangladesh to source the best value-added denim. New technologies in washing and polishing as well as increasing use of finer fabrics and designs are allowing Bangladesh to add more value to denim products.
The export of value-added denim jeans is increasing from Bangladesh. Bangladesh exports denim goods worth more than $3 billion a year and has already overtaken China to become the top denim supplier to the EU. Globally, use of denim products is on the rise because of the change in fashion, especially in the western world. Denim trousers and shirts are worn at both formal and casual events.
Previously, Bangladesh used to produce denim trousers for $5 or $7 a piece, but now the price range has gone up to $10 or $11. In 2014, the size of the global denim market stood at $56.20 billion and it is projected to reach $64.10 billion by 2020. Bangladesh's share is forecasted to be seven billion dollars by 2021. The production capacity of the 31 denim mills in Bangladesh is more than 40 million yards a month against a demand for nearly 70 million yards. The rest of the demand is met through imports from countries like China, India, Pakistan, and Turkey.