A dominant player in cotton export globally, India in 2017 played a major role in fulfilling Bangladesh’s demands with the latter reportedly importing 46 per cent of its total cotton requirement in 2017 from India.
This was stated by the High Commission of India following a meeting between the High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla and industry leaders and office bearers of the Bangladesh Cotton Association, which called on Shringla at his office recently to brief him about the work of the association and Bangladesh India Cotton Forum.
It may be mentioned here that Bangladesh reportedly produces less than 8 lakh bales in a season and is not considered a significant cotton producer. Over 90 % of the country’s textile mills’ needs are met through imports.
As per statistics, local cotton growers in Bangladesh can meet only around 2 per cent of the demand leading to over US $ 3 billion worth of import.
The second biggest exporter of readymade garments after China, there is a huge demand for cotton in the country and almost all the global players in cotton production and export look to exploit this opportunity.
It may be mentioned here that recently an eight-member Cotton USA executive delegation visited Dhaka to meet Bangladeshi spinning and garment industry and promote use of US Cotton and engage the industries to better understand US Cotton.
The Cotton USA also organized a seminar in Dhaka on 16 July to celebrate the third edition of Cotton Day in Bangladesh where they highlighted the world cotton production, supply and demand, and US cotton fibre quality, sustainability, and delivery issues.
According to experts, after China imposed 25 per cent retaliatory duty on the import of cotton from the US as part of the ‘trade war’ between the two countries, US has reportedly aggressively looking to get a strong foothold in the Bangladesh market.
Bangladesh is the largest cotton importer in the world, while the United States is the largest exporter globally.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
