Prospects of RMG Exports from Bangladesh to Brazil
Md. Joynal Abdin
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
Editor, T&IB Business Directory; Executive Director, Online Training Academy (OTA)
Secretary General, Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) industry has traditionally been powered by large, predictable demand from North America and Europe. Yet the global sourcing map is changing: brands and importers are diversifying risk, consumers are buying through new channels, and competitive pressure is rising around speed, compliance, and value. In this environment, Brazil stands out as a market that is big enough to matter, under-served by many South Asian suppliers relative to its potential, and increasingly open to new sourcing relationships.
Brazil is the world’s largest economy in Latin America, with a population of about 212.0 million (2024). For Bangladeshi exporters, that population scale translates into year-round demand across mass basics, casualwear, workwear, kidswear, and value fashion. For Brazilian importers, Bangladesh offers deep industrial capacity, product specialization in knit and woven categories, and proven ability to supply major global retailers often with strong sustainability credentials and competitive unit pricing.
Importantly, the Bangladesh Brazil trade basket already shows garments as a leading component: recent bilateral trade snapshots show men’s suits, knit T-shirts, knit sweaters and related apparel among Bangladesh’s top exports into Brazil. This is a practical signal: the route is proven, the product acceptance exists, and the next step is scaling volume, variety, and long-term relationships.
Bangladesh’s RMG strength: capacity, scale, and export momentum
Bangladesh remains one of the world’s most important apparel sourcing hubs. In fiscal year 2024–25, Bangladesh’s total goods exports reached about USD 48.28 billion and RMG contributed about USD 39.34 billion over four-fifths of export earnings. This dominance matters for Brazil: it means Bangladeshi suppliers have mature ecosystems spinning and textiles linkages, washing and finishing, trims and accessories, compliance services, third-party testing, and experienced logistics partners built to serve demanding import markets.
At the product level, Bangladesh is especially competitive in high-volume knit basics (T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, underwear), denim and non-denim bottoms, casual shirts, and uniform/workwear. These align closely with Brazil’s broad middle-income consumer base and large institutional demand (retail chains, corporate uniforms, promotional garments, and private-label programs).
Why Brazil is attractive now: market scale and retail dynamics?
Brazil’s domestic retail environment has been dynamic in recent years. National statistics reported retail sales reaching record levels in early 2025 (volume index context), reflecting continued consumer activity even amid tight financial conditions. For apparel importers, this means consistent replenishment demand and opportunities for strong private-label programs.
Brazil is also seeing heightened competitive energy in fashion retail. For example, H&M launched in Brazil with both online operations and a first physical store in São Paulo, and planned more stores and expanded distribution capacity. When global brands invest in market entry and distribution, they typically accelerate sourcing cycles, increase assortment breadth, and strengthen the role of reliable import supply—creating indirect opportunity for efficient exporters.
Current trade signals: the doorway is already open
Bangladesh’s overall exports to Brazil have shown notable growth in recent fiscal reporting: EPB-cited coverage indicates exports to Brazil reaching USD 187 million in FY 2024–25, up from USD 147 million in FY 2023–24. While that figure covers all products, multiple trade summaries emphasize that readymade garments are the primary export category within that flow.
On the Brazilian import side, product-line data examples from international trade databases show Bangladesh appearing as a significant supplier in specific apparel HS lines (illustratively in certain cotton knit garment categories in 2024). The strategic takeaway is not one HS code; it is the pattern: Bangladesh is already in the supplier set, and a structured expansion plan can grow share across multiple apparel categories.
The tariff-and-tax reality: understanding the true landed cost
Any serious expansion plan must be honest about the Brazilian import cost structure. Brazil’s import regime is not just “a tariff”; it is a layered system. Trade guidance notes that imported goods commonly face Import Duty (II), Industrialized Product Tax (IPI), PIS/COFINS social contributions, and ICMS (state VAT), with taxes often calculated cumulatively during clearance.
From a tariff profile perspective, Brazil’s applied MFN averages are moderate at the national level, but tariff ceilings and sector peaks are meaningful: the maximum applied rates can reach up to 35% in many industrial categories under the regional tariff structure, and the overall applied non-agricultural average is reported around 12.5% (2024). In practice, many clothing lines are at the higher end of the scale, which means price competitiveness alone is not enough exporters must also build value through compliance, consistency, and importer-friendly programs that reduce risk and total cost.
What this means for Bangladeshi exporters is clear: the winning strategy in Brazil is typically a combination of (1) correct product selection (high-turn, price-elastic items and private label basics), (2) careful specification management to avoid costly disputes, (3) optimized packing and documentation to prevent clearance delays, and (4) stable supply planning that supports importer cash-flow.
Product opportunities where Bangladesh fits best
The strongest prospects usually sit where Bangladesh’s industrial advantages match Brazil’s consumption and retail structure. First, knit basics remain the most natural entry: T-shirts, polos, light sweatshirts, and everyday casualwear. These categories benefit from Bangladesh’s scale and cost efficiency, and Brazilian retailers often need consistent replenishment volumes. Supporting evidence from bilateral trade listings shows knit T-shirts among Bangladesh’s top shipments into Brazil in recent months.
Second, woven value categories are promising, especially men’s tailored items and smart casual: suits, shirts, and trousers are also visible among leading Bangladesh→Brazil export items.
Third, private-label programs for mid-tier retail chains can grow quickly because they allow Brazilian importers to control brand positioning while leaning on Bangladesh for production strength. When a supplier can deliver consistent sizing, color fastness, shrinkage control, and packaging discipline, Brazilian buyers often scale repeat orders faster than in trend-driven fashion lines.
Fourth, uniforms and institutional garments can be a stable volume driver. Brazil’s large corporate and public-service economy generates continuous demand for standardized apparel. Bangladesh’s ability to run large production lots with stable specs is a strong advantage in this segment.
Compliance and sustainability: turning Bangladesh’s progress into a Brazil advantage
Bangladesh has invested heavily over the last decade in factory safety upgrades, third-party audits, and greener production. For Brazilian importers especially those supplying modern retail chains compliance is not optional. Even when the end consumer is price sensitive, large retailers increasingly require documentation around social compliance, restricted substances, and traceability.
In Brazil, where import costs are significant and regulatory complexity can be high, buyers prefer lower operational risk. Bangladeshi exporters who bring strong audit portfolios, testing discipline, and transparent production planning can justify long-term partnership even in the presence of higher duties. In other words, compliance becomes a pricing tool: it reduces the “hidden cost” of delays, rework, and reputation risk.
Logistics and route planning: making lead time predictable
Brazil is geographically distant from Bangladesh, so speed must be engineered through predictability. The exporters who succeed most in distant markets usually do three things well: they lock sample approvals early, standardize fabric and trim sources for repeat programs, and build documentation discipline to prevent clearance friction. Brazilian import guidance highlights how import processes involve multiple taxes and structured customs procedures; incomplete paperwork can quickly turn into demurrage and delays.
For Brazilian importers, reliability matters as much as cost: consistent ETD performance, clean documentation, and proactive communication can outweigh small unit-price differences when the landed-cost stack is already large.
How Bangladeshi exporters can position in Brazil: market-entry logic that works
A practical Brazil strategy is usually built around relationships and distribution realities rather than only “selling to Brazil.” Successful exporters typically start with targeted importer types in São Paulo and other major commercial centers: private-label importers, department store sourcing teams, uniform distributors, and specialized fashion importers. They then prove performance through a narrow initial assortment often core basics or repeatable categories before expanding SKUs.
Because Brazil is cost-sensitive after duties and taxes, exporters should focus on optimizing total landed cost: fabric efficiency, marker optimization, carton utilization, and shrinkage/quality control that reduces claims. A Brazilian buyer will often reward a supplier who lowers operational pain even more than one who offers the lowest FOB.
The strategic role of BBCCI in accelerating RMG growth
This is where BBCCI becomes a direct commercial enabler rather than a general promoter. For RMG exports, the biggest friction points are usually not production; they are partner discovery, credibility building, and transaction execution across distance, language, and legal frameworks. BBCCI can bridge these gaps in ways that individual factories often cannot do alone.
BBCCI’s strongest value for Bangladeshi apparel exporters is structured access: curated introductions to credible Brazilian importers and retail networks, business-to-business matchmaking, delegation and meeting support, and market-entry guidance rooted in practical bilateral experience. For Brazilian apparel importers, BBCCI can serve as a due-diligence and facilitation layer helping them identify reliable Bangladeshi suppliers, interpret capacity and compliance claims, and coordinate sourcing visits or virtual factory walkthroughs.
BBCCI also has demonstrated platform-building capacity through trade engagement initiatives and structured outreach programs, which helps accelerate trust in new supplier relationships. In a market like Brazil where import risk and cost are high trust and verification can be as important as price.
What Brazilian importers gain by partnering with Bangladesh through BBCCI channels?
For Brazilian buyers, Bangladesh offers three strategic benefits. The first is scalable capacity: Bangladesh can handle large runs and repeat programs, which is essential for national retail chains and fast-replenishment basics.
The second is category depth: knit and woven apparel ecosystems in Bangladesh allow importers to consolidate sourcing across multiple product lines.
The third is structured engagement: through BBCCI’s network, Brazilian buyers can reduce the search cost of finding qualified suppliers and engage with exporters who are prepared for serious long-term programs not only opportunistic shipments.
Contact details: Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
Phone: +880 1553-676767
Email: sg@brazilbangladeshchamber.com
Website: brazilbangladeshchamber.com
Address: Shanta Skymark, Levels 8th–13th, 18 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Closing remarks: a realistic, high-potential corridor
Bangladesh’s RMG industry is large, export-driven, and still expanding its global footprint. Brazil is a major consumer market with active retail dynamics and a demonstrated appetite for imported apparel, and bilateral trade patterns already show Bangladeshi garments gaining traction. The cost and compliance bar in Brazil is real duties, taxes, and procedural rigor require serious preparation but that is precisely why well-organized exporters and importers can build durable advantage once relationships are established.
For Bangladeshi exporters, the opportunity is to treat Brazil not as a one-off destination but as a structured Latin America growth corridor anchored by long-term importer partnerships. For Brazilian importers, the invitation is to engage Bangladesh as a dependable sourcing base with proven scale, improving compliance standards, and the ability to run repeat programs competitively. With BBCCI acting as the bridge for matchmaking, credibility, and execution support, the prospects for expanding Bangladesh RMG exports to Brazil are not only promising they are commercially actionable now.