Bangladesh's share of German textile imports has risen significantly since 2013
Bangladesh's share of German clothing imports has risen significantly over the past ten years. According to the Federal Statistical Office, it was 12.1 percent in 2013, but between January and September of this year it was 20.3 percent. Then as now, the three most important supplier countries for clothing were China, Bangladesh and Turkey.
Together, they continue to account for more than half (53.3 percent) of Germany's clothing imports. However, according to the Federal Statistical Office, less clothing was imported into Germany from January to September: The volume amounted to 27.8 billion euros, a decrease of 14.1 percent compared to the same period last year. Imports from all three top countries fell by double-digit figures.
Bangladesh is currently in the spotlight due to sometimes violent protests and demands for higher wages in the textile industry. Bangladesh's capital Dhaka and its suburbs in particular are an important center of the textile industry. Many Western brands such as Gap, H&M and Aldi have garments manufactured there.
The country is one of the largest producers of textiles in the world, with around 3,500 factories and workshops. Four million people work in the industry. Textiles account for 85 percent of exports. At the weekend, 150 factories were closed indefinitely as manufacturers fear further strikes at the start of the new working week in the South Asian country.
The protests in Bangladesh's textile industry have caused some manufacturers to worry about potential disruptions. Despite these concerns, Bangladesh's share of textile imports into Germany continues to be significant, making up 20.3% between January and September this year.
Source: www.ntv.de
