Dependence on India for cotton increases

Bangladesh’s dependence on India for cotton is on an upward trajectory as reports suggest the country imports 49 per cent cotton from India to meet its demand for textile industry. Data by Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) reveals that Bangladesh imported 6.10 million bale cotton in 2015 with India accounting for 49 per cent or 2.99 million bale.

As per the data, at 2.99 million bale(One bale weighs 480 pounds or 218 kg) the imports grew 36 per cent year on year. In 2014 Bangladesh’s imports from its neighbour rose 27 per cent year on year to 2.22 million bales. This means 37 per cent of total cotton import of 5.91 million bales.

Bangladesh’s cotton imports from India started rising in 2011. Tapan Choudhury, BTMA president, said rapid shipment, better quality, price competitiveness and settlement of dispute in a relaxed manner made India the single largest source of cotton import for Bangladesh.

-commodityonline