Bangladesh, Oct. 15 -- Bangladesh's exports struggle to remain competitive on the US market as persistently high freight costs combine with rising raw-material prices and expensive bank financing to pose headwinds.Buy Maps

Some buyers are splitting orders or delaying production, leaving manufacturers struggling with idle capacity, mounting investment costs and uncertainty over future shipment amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Exporters have said higher shipping charges are making it increasingly difficult for them to keep the cost of production competitive, with freight rates in some cases approaching or even exceeding the prices of the products being shipped.

Uncertainty stemming from the Middle East conflict has further complic...