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Global Buyers Halt Bangladesh Factory Visits as Political Unrest Disrupts Sourcing Plans

• By  Textile Excellence
• November 24, 2025

Global garment buyers have begun cancelling scheduled factory visits to Bangladesh as ongoing political unrest triggers fresh concerns over safety, logistics and sourcing continuity. Leading brands from Europe and the United States have withdrawn travel plans for November and December, a period that typically sees peak annual sourcing activity.

Industry sources report that buyers are now shifting meetings to virtual formats and delaying on-ground audits that are mandatory for new supplier approvals. Several manufacturers indicate that at least 25% of planned visits for the current season stand cancelled, threatening order finalisation cycles for Spring Summer 2026.

Bangladesh exported apparel worth US$47.39 billion in FY24 and remains the world’s second largest garment supplier after China. Disruptions in buyer engagement during key seasons can affect new product development, compliance assessments and price negotiations, creating uncertainty for factories already facing high raw material costs and volatile global demand.

Manufacturers fear that prolonged unrest may push buyers to divert sourcing decisions to India, Vietnam and Indonesia, where on-ground operations are running more smoothly. Exporters also caution that delays in conducting due diligence may impact the country’s ability to secure higher value-added orders in outerwear, activewear and synthetics.

Industry leaders have urged swift stabilisation to protect Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable sourcing destination. They emphasise that timely buyer interactions remain critical for sustaining employment and export momentum in an industry employing more than four million workers.

Manufacturers fear that prolonged unrest may push buyers to divert sourcing decisions to India, Vietnam and Indonesia, where on-ground operations are running more smoothly. Exporters also caution that delays in conducting due diligence may impact the country’s ability to secure higher value-added orders in outerwear, activewear and synthetics.