Bangladesh garment factories face energy shortages as Middle East crisis raises costs
Gas and power shortages have disrupted many Bangladeshi garment factories, while a survey found 55% of 134 knitwear plants had lost or reduced orders and 78% had partly halted production. Bangladesh also raised fuel prices by up to 17.4%.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
What happened
A survey of 134 knitwear factories found that 55% had seen buyers cancel or reduce orders and 78% had partially halted production since late August. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- How a Bangladeshi garment-maker is fighting the Middle East energy crunchnews.tuoitre.vn · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 8:17 AM UTC
Bangladesh raised fuel prices by up to 17.4%; the government attributed the move to soaring global prices and higher shipping costs linked to the Middle East conflict. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- How a Bangladeshi garment-maker is fighting the Middle East energy crunchnews.tuoitre.vn · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 8:17 AM UTC
- How a Bangladeshi garment-maker fights West Asia energy crunchbdnews24.com · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 6:32 AM UTC
The garment sector accounts for more than 80% of Bangladesh’s export earnings, employs about four million workers and contributes around 10% of GDP. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- How a Bangladeshi garment-maker is fighting the Middle East energy crunchnews.tuoitre.vn · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 8:17 AM UTC
- How a Bangladeshi garment-maker fights West Asia energy crunchbdnews24.com · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 6:32 AM UTC
4A Yarn Dyeing continued operating with its own solar, gas and diesel generation, but its co-owner said business costs had increased. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- How a Bangladeshi garment-maker is fighting the Middle East energy crunchnews.tuoitre.vn · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 8:17 AM UTC
- How a Bangladeshi garment-maker fights West Asia energy crunchbdnews24.com · Recorded source date: Sep 22, 2026, 6:32 AM UTC
Context from the sources
Bangladesh’s garment industry is the world’s second-largest exporter after China, according to the cited reports. [1][2]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [2] How a Bangladeshi garment-maker fights West Asia energy crunchbdnews24.comReferenced for: detail 2, detail 3, detail 4
- [1] How a Bangladeshi garment-maker is fighting the Middle East energy crunchnews.tuoitre.vnReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4
What this could mean for you
Some clothing orders could face delays or reduced availability.
Power and gas shortages have already led surveyed factories to halt production partly and buyers to cut orders.
Reported basis: [1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Energy shortages persist across factories serving export buyers.
Possible time frame: weeks, if those conditions hold.
Garment workers and exporters could face reduced hours, orders or margins.
Interrupted production and higher fuel costs pressure a sector employing about four million people.
Reported basis: [1][2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Factories cannot offset energy and shipping costs or secure reliable supply.
Possible time frame: weeks, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Gas and electricity shortages spread to factories that currently maintain backup generation.
Fuel and shipping costs remain elevated, increasing pressure on orders and margins.
Pressure eases if…
More reliable gas and electricity supply allows factories to resume full production.
Backup generation and government support help replace lost production capacity.
Still unclear
The sources do not quantify how long shortages will last or how many factories can maintain output.
They do not establish whether higher costs will be passed to clothing buyers or consumers.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
Since 2019, 4A has generated its own power, including through solar panels, making it an exception in Bangladesh's garment industry, the world's second-biggest exporter after…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Since 2019, 4A has generated its own power, including through solar panels, making it an exception in Bangladesh's garment industry A gas and power crisis…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.