Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest exporter of readymade garments, is set to import 8.1 million bales of cotton in the 2025-26 marketing year, retaining its position as the largest global importer of the fibre, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The USDA’s latest Cotton: World Markets and Trade report projected Bangladesh’s cotton consumption at 8.1 million bales, unchanged from August but slightly lower than the 8.4 million bales forecast in July. Imports are also expected to reach 8.1 million bales in MY26, up from 7.57 million in MY24 and 7 million in MY23.
Vietnam is forecast to match Bangladesh’s imports at 8.1 million bales, while Pakistan could surpass China to become the third-largest importer with 5.9 million bales against China’s projected 5.2 million.
The USDA noted that Bangladesh’s rising garment exports were fuelling demand for raw cotton. Export Promotion Bureau data showed that in FY ’25, apparel shipments grew by 8.84% year-on-year to US $ 39.35 billion.
Cotton imports into Bangladesh are heavily reliant on external sources, with West Africa, India, Brazil and the United States supplying the majority share in MY24. The US share is expected to increase as part of ongoing tariff negotiations.
Following meetings with a visiting US Trade Representative delegation, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said Bangladesh was working to narrow the trade gap by increasing imports of American energy and agricultural products, including cotton, soybeans and wheat. He added that domestic cotton production covered only 2% of total demand, with the remainder sourced from abroad.
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association President Showkat Aziz Russell stated earlier that the industry planned to import US $ 1 billion worth of cotton from the United States to help rebalance bilateral trade.
Dhaka has already taken steps to ease US imports, lifting the double fumigation requirement for American cotton in 2023, a move that saved importers both time and costs.
Globally, cotton output is projected to rise to 117.7 million bales, driven by larger crops in China, India and Australia. China’s harvest is forecast at 32.5 million bales, its largest in 12 years.
Bangladesh, however, produces just 153,000 bales annually on 45,000 hectares — less than 2% of its total requirement — underscoring its continued reliance on imports to sustain its vital garment industry.
