Tent, camping gear exports show signs of recovery

Tents and camping gear exports are showing signs of revival, with global buyers placing fresh orders after selling off pandemic stockpiles.

During the July-November period of the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, exports of tents and camping items grew 18 percent year-on-year to around $50 million, compared with the same period in FY25.

The increase comes more than a year after the sector's exports fell sharply by $170 million to $222 million in FY24, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.

The sector reached $392 million in exports in FY22 but suffered a decline in the following two years. Trade recovered slightly in FY25, rising 2 percent to $226 million.

Hong-Woo Lee, chief executive officer of Campvalley Global Ltd at the Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone (EPZ), said the sector had benefited from a Covid-driven surge in camping, when many consumers chose local outdoor activities over overseas travel.

"After Covid ended, a large inventory remained in the market," he said. "Once that was sold off, demand picked up. I think FY26 will perform better than FY25."

Campvalley Global specialises in instant tents and plastic moulds, exporting mainly to the United States.

Lee added that Bangladesh has become an attractive manufacturing base for tent makers, as major global brands now run production facilities here.

"This is beneficial for buyers," he said, adding that the company is interested in investing in the Mirsarai Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

Bangladesh has more than half a dozen tent and camping equipment manufacturers, mostly located in export processing zones.

Rafat Husain, managing director of HKD Uni-Tech Ltd at Chattogram EPZ, said the main export markets are the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.

HKD, one of the largest global manufacturers of camping gear, produces outdoor chairs, cots and other equipment. The company is also investing in producing steel poles and pipes used in outdoor equipment.

"The global market for tents is not that big, but the market for camping furniture and outdoor equipment is big," Husain said. "People use camping chairs in their homes, too."

He said that uncertainty over US reciprocal tariffs earlier this year had weighed on buyer sentiment, although the issue was resolved in August.

"Massive growth in exports is unlikely this year. I expect demand for our products to pick up from FY27," he added.