Bangladesh’s leather footwear exports reached a five-year high during July-October of the current fiscal year, earning $228.47 million, a 9% rise from $182.11 million in the same period last year. This growth comes as global buyers, particularly from the US, Japan, and the EU, increase orders due to Bangladesh’s competitive labor costs and shifting demand from China, where rising production costs make Bangladeshi products more attractive.
Local exporters credit the recovery of pre-pandemic export trends to rising demand in recovering economies. Nasir Khan, chairman of Jennys Shoes, noted the potential for the sector to reach $5 billion in annual shipments if the government addresses issues like unnecessary licensing and simplifies bonded facility processes. The sector’s 50% value addition capability also highlights its potential for export diversification.
Akij Footwear’s commercial manager Prottoy Parvej emphasized that competitive pricing allows Bangladesh to attract buyers transitioning from China and India. Orders from renowned Eurozone, North American, and Japanese brands are expected to grow next year.
Apex Footwear’s Md Omar Faruque also reported increasing inquiries from large US buyers, reflecting confidence in Bangladesh’s compliance, quality, and capacity.
Exporters stress that reducing bureaucratic hurdles in customs processing is essential for sustaining this upward trend in leather footwear exports.
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