As Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, weavers in Pabna and Sirajganj, known for their handloom cloth production, are facing significant challenges due to escalating production costs and a sharp decline in sales.
According to local weavers, demand for traditional Zakat clothing and exports to India have sharply declined this year, while the price of yarn has surged by 50 per cent. In contrast, cloth prices have only increased by approximately 10 per cent, leaving weavers with minimal profit margins. The Handloom and Power Loom Owners Association reports that only 250,000 out of 450,000 looms in these regions are operational this year, further exacerbating the difficulties faced by the industry.
“Small and marginal weavers are struggling to keep their factories running due to excessive production costs,” stated Md Hydar Ali, director of the Bangladesh Specialised Textile Mills and Powerloom Industries Association.
The handloom and power loom factories predominantly rely on 80-count yarn, which is not produced locally due to high manufacturing costs and is mostly imported from India and China. With Indian yarn supply diminishing, traders in Dhaka noted a rise in yarn prices, further straining production capabilities.
While the Government offers duty-free yarn support for small and marginal weavers, industry leaders claim that little assistance has been provided over the years. Weavers have also reported a decrease in affordable Indian yarn availability, forcing them to buy at inflated prices.
