Footwear exports to US rise 52pc amid trade, tariff tension

Bangladesh's footwear exports to the US market witnessed about 52-percent growth in 2025 amid trade and tariff tension, which encouraged American buyers to diversify sourcing destinations and reduce dependence on China and Vietnam.

In the last calendar year, Bangladesh exported footwear worth $387.72 million, compared to $255.21 million in 2024, according to OTEXA, an affiliate of the US Department of Commerce.

Bangladesh has huge potential to increase exports to the US and raise market share, provided improvements in "speed to market" and ease of doing business, including that of customs procedures to reduce long lead time, are ensured, industry insiders have said.

The robust growth came after two years when export earnings remained almost static at $255 million and $235 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, on a climb-down, the data shows.