Global apparel exports totaled approximately $574.46 billion in 2025. According to World Trade Organization (WTO) international trade data, China ranked first with exports of about $157.11 billion, accounting for roughly 27.35% of global apparel exports; Bangladesh ranked second with $38.82 billion, followed closely by Vietnam with $37.51 billion, with a gap of less than $1.5 billion between the two and annual growth exceeding 10%. India, Turkey, Cambodia, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the United States ranked fourth through ninth. While China continued to hold the top spot, its apparel exports fell by about 4.9% in 2025, and the competitive landscape of global supply chains continued to adjust.

Key Points

  • China's apparel exports in 2025 were about $157.11 billion, accounting for roughly 27.35% of the global total, but down about 4.9% year on year.
  • Bangladesh ranked second with $38.82 billion, and Vietnam ranked third with $37.51 billion, with annual growth exceeding 10%.
  • Cambodia's exports were about $11.56 billion, with growth of about 16.9%, making it one of the fastest-growing countries in the top ten.

Factors Supporting China's Lead

China's advantage in apparel exports comes from a relatively complete industrial support system. The production of fabrics, yarns, and accessories and the manufacturing of finished garments are highly concentrated geographically, reducing procurement and logistics costs. At the same time, China has the production capacity to handle large orders from multiple markets, and its transportation, warehousing, and export logistics infrastructure is relatively mature. Its products cover multiple categories, including affordable clothing, sportswear, and formal wear, and it has accumulated relatively systematic technology, knowledge, and skills in textile and apparel production.

However, competition from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh is intensifying. These countries are attracting new orders through production costs, supply chain positioning, and trade agreements. Vietnam in particular is seen as an important alternative destination for brands diversifying production capacity, and its export scale is already close to that of Bangladesh. The contest between the two for the world's second place has become one of the main focal points of current apparel trade.

Overview of Other Major Exporters

India's apparel exports in 2025 were about $17.26 billion. Benefiting from the supply of raw materials such as cotton and a large textile industry base, it mainly exports cotton clothing and finished garments. Turkey's exports were about $16.81 billion, and its geographic proximity to the European market enables its manufacturers to deliver faster than some Asian peers, which is particularly critical for brands that need rapid replenishment.

Cambodia's exports were about $11.56 billion, with annual growth of about 16.9%. The growth mainly came from export-oriented garment factories, reflecting the expanding role of Southeast Asian countries in global supply chains. Pakistan's exports were about $9.91 billion, with the industry relying on a cotton textile production base but facing challenges in energy costs, financing, and transportation. Indonesia's exports were about $9.23 billion, and it is strengthening competitiveness by upgrading factory standards, productivity, and market access. U.S. apparel exports were about $6.53 billion. Although its domestic market is large, its garment supply is highly dependent on imports, and export statistics do not fully reflect the U.S. role in fashion design, brand development, and global retail.

The Difference Between Apparel Exports and Textile Exports

The ranking above covers apparel (finished garment) exports, including finished products such as shirts, trousers, dresses, and coats; textile exports cover fabrics, yarns, fibers, and other materials used in manufacturing. These two statistical scopes can affect country rankings—a country may be a major fabric exporter but rank differently in finished garment exports. In addition, apparel export value does not mean that a country locally produces all raw materials; some countries first import fabrics, yarns, and accessories, process them into garments, and then export them. Before comparing data across countries, it is necessary to confirm the product category scope used in the statistics.

From an industry perspective, the 2025 data shows two parallel trends: China still dominates global garment supply by absolute scale, but its export value has declined; Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia maintain relatively rapid growth, and their share in the global sourcing landscape continues to rise. For companies engaged in textile and apparel exports, procurement, and supply chain positioning, the flow of orders and the diversification of production bases will remain core variables for some time to come.

Source: Top Clothing Exporting Countries in 2025 | Waradana · Originally published on 2026-10-12