Bangladesh’s cotton import landscape is undergoing a marked shift as sourcing decisions increasingly hinge on long-term supply assurance, geopolitical considerations and logistical reliability rather than proximity alone, the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cotton outlook shows.
The USDA forecasts Bangladesh’s cotton imports to rise from roughly 8.28 million bales in MY ’25 to about 8.4 million bales in the 2025–26 marketing year. This increase reflects higher anticipated consumption by spinning mills despite persistent energy constraints and financing challenges. Brazil led the supplier rankings in MY ’25 with more than 1.9 million bales, ahead of Benin (1.06 million bales) and India (1.4 million bales).
India’s long-standing dominance—historically driven by shorter transit times via Benapole landport and routes through Kolkata—has weakened. Operational delays, port congestion and broader trade frictions have slowed cross-border shipments, prompting Bangladeshi spinners to reassess sourcing strategies. Industry representatives report that inconsistent clearance timelines and growing logistical uncertainties have reduced the appeal of land-based imports, diminishing India’s share despite its geographic advantage.
Brazil has capitalised on this shift by offering competitive pricing, dependable large-volume shipments during harvest periods and consistent fibre quality. USDA assessments show that Brazil overtook India as Bangladesh’s top cotton supplier in MY ’25, contributing nearly a quarter of total imports.
The United States also remains an influential supplier. In MY ’25, Bangladesh imported 595,902 bales of US cotton—around 7.2% of its total intake. Projections for 2025–26 indicate imports of roughly 1 million bales worth an estimated US $ 473.8 million, translating to about 12% of the market. While US cotton typically commands a premium, a segment of Bangladeshi spinners continues to favour it for its traceability, uniformity and low contamination levels.
USDA estimates indicate that Bangladesh’s textile industry has the capacity to consume up to 15 million bales of cotton annually, yet utilisation stands at about 55%. Actual consumption reached approximately 8.3 million bales in MY ’25, with a modest increase to 8.5 million bales expected in MY ’26.
The wide gap between installed capacity and utilisation underscores persistent structural challenges, including escalating production costs, energy shortages and a rising dependence on imported yarn and fabric.
