COTTON USA™ hosted the ‘Cotton Day 2024 Bangladesh’ event on 10th December in Dhaka, showcasing the advantages of utilizing high-quality, sustainable US cotton within the country’s textile sector. The event aimed to reinforce collaborations with spinning factories and highlighted the significance of partnerships between US cotton farmers and Bangladeshi textile mills to enhance competitiveness in the global fashion supply chain.
Organised by Cotton Council International (CCI)—the export promotion branch of the National Cotton Council of America—this event featured discussions on the latest innovations in cotton production and its sustainable benefits.
Showkat Aziz Russell, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), emphasized the quality of US cotton but noted challenges related to longer lead times. He announced plans to invest in warehouse facilities to improve inventory management, ensuring timely deliveries for spinning mills.
Russell also addressed the challenges of importing cotton from India, expressing a desire to reduce reliance on Indian suppliers due to unethical pricing practices and delays in shipment, despite having paid in full.
William Bettendorf, CCI’s Regional Director for the Southern Africa and Greater Asia regions, pointed out the difficulties facing the global cotton market, including lagging demand and low prices. He mentioned that ongoing drought conditions in Texas have further affected US cotton production.
Bettendorf highlighted COTTON USA’s commitment to innovation and customer partnerships, noting their extensive outreach over the past five years, including over 500 mill visits. He introduced the COTTON USA Mill Performance Index®, a benchmarking tool that enables spinning mills to assess their performance compared to competitors, demonstrating how sourcing US cotton can enhance productivity and yield. He also mentioned the US Cotton Trust Protocol, which assures a sustainable cotton supply increasingly desired by global brands.
Frederick Barrier, Vice President of Sales at Staple Cotton Cooperative, outlined various factors that will influence the future of cotton production, including crop profitability, advancements in agricultural technology, and sustainable farming practices.
John King, Senior Vice President at Olam Agri, discussed Bangladesh’s cotton import statistics, stating that in the 2024-25 period, the country is projected to import 275,000 bales of US cotton, holding a 4 per cent market share. Bangladesh continues to be the second-largest cotton importer globally, following China.
Eva Maria Bille, EU Policy Director at Hill & Knowlton Strategies, emphasised the need for transparency in environmental claims to empower consumers in the EU’s green transition. She noted the fashion industry’s shift towards stricter regulations, highlighting US cotton as a dependable sustainable source.
Zoe Lindsey, Vice President of Sales at Oritain, pointed out the growing scrutiny on the fashion industry regarding sustainability and ethical practices.
The event, hosted by Ali Arsalan, CCI’s representative in Bangladesh, attracted around 250 participants, including industry leaders, brands, technology providers, and cotton specialists, all keen on exploring new opportunities in the cotton sector.
