[🇧🇩] Agriculture in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Retail profiteering should not hurt boro farming

THE fuel crisis that has loomed large owing to the US-Israel war on Iran and subsequent disruption in the passage of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz appears to have caused concern for rice farming. Farmers in several districts keep, as New Age reported on March 12, struggling to get...

www.newagebd.net

Retail profiteering should not hurt boro farming

THE fuel crisis that has loomed large owing to the US-Israel war on Iran and subsequent disruption in the passage of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz appears to have caused concern for rice farming. Farmers in several districts keep, as New Age reported on March 12, struggling to get diesel for the irrigation of boro rice. The Department of Agricultural Extension brushes aside any chance of disruption in boro irrigation as long as the national reserve is not destabilised. A ranking Department of Agricultural Extension official says that field officials have not so far reported any problems in boro irrigation because of diesel shortage, noting that farmers have already planted boro seedlings on about 97 per cent of the targeted 5.05 million hectares in the 2026 financial year. Despite official assurances, farmers in several districts say that they are struggling to get diesel for irrigation. Reports from the south-west say that farmers have faced disruption for a few days as filling stations and retailers have restricted diesel sales, coming down to two litres a farmer a day against the earlier 10 litres that could be bought from a filling station. Reports from the north come up with a similar situation.Energy & Utilities

Farmers in the north say that they need to pay higher prices for diesel. Whilst a farmer can buy five litres of diesel a day, some retailers charge them an additional Tk 5–10 a litre against the government’s selling price of Tk 100 a litre. About 30–35 per cent of the boro farmland of the targeted half a million hectares in the Rangpur region is said to be dependent on shallow irrigation pumps. Retailers are reported to be charging farmers an additional Tk 5–10 a litre. The situation is further concerning in the Rajshahi region, where diesel is retailed to farmers for Tk 115–120 a litre. All this happens despite there being no major reasons to worry about diesel stock. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation officials say that the current stock of 300,000 tonnes, which would roughly last for a month, is improving, with the release of about 180,000 tonnes having begun at the Chattogram port on March 10. The proposition suggests that the diesel shortage that is hampering irrigation at the local level is artificial. The minister for agriculture, however, says that the government is working to attend to the problem. Experts believe that the government should prioritise diesel supply to farmers.

The government should, in such a situation, strengthen oversight to stop retailers from cashing in on the situation to make windfall profits. The government should also act to stop any misuse or abuse of the rationing of fuel oil that it decided a few days ago to tackle the probable energy crisis.​

 

[Saif]

The Financial Express | First Financial Daily of Bangladesh

Get latest stock share market news, financial news, economy news, politics news, breaking news, Bangladesh economy news at The Financial Express.

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War in Iran a threat to agriculture

Atiqul Kabir Tuhin
Published :
Apr 02, 2026 00:09
Updated :
Apr 02, 2026 00:09

Farmers fear a massive loss as their fields run dry due to lack of irrigation —Photo: Collected

Amid the unprecedented disruption in global oil and gas supplies due to lingering war in the Middle East, problems in the transport sector and concern over energy security are dominating the headlines. However, a parallel crisis is quietly unfolding in a vital sector of the national economy - agriculture.

The war came at a time when the farmers in Bangladesh started Boro cultivation, the country's largest and most productive rice season. Typically harvested from April to June, Boro rice requires intensive fertilisation as well as irrigation. However, farmers are now facing a double whammy: shortages and rising prices of fertiliser, along with disruptions to irrigation due to a lack of diesel.

A recent news report gives a shocking picture of farmers fearing heavy losses during the current Boro season - not because of the vagaries of nature, but due to the whimsical and reckless decisions of distant, war-mongering leaders. A farmer named Abdur Rahman Gazi in Dumuria upazila of Khulna fears a decline of up to 50 maunds in his paddy yield this year due to inadequate irrigation on his two bighas of land. His plight starkly illustrates the devastating impact of the war on Bangladesh's rice fields.

As the authorities have restricted the sale of fuel in canisters or bottles to curb hoarding, farmers are left in difficult situation over securing diesel for irrigation. Even when fuel oil is available in the open market, it comes at exorbitant prices, well beyond the reach of marginal farmers. Consequently, thousands of farmers like Rahman now stare at a massive loss as their fields run dry due to lack of irrigation.

It raises a troubling question: why are those who sustain the nation's food supply being sidelined when it comes to access to fuel oil? The economic hardship that farmers will face as a result of crop failures is undoubtedly a matter of grave concern, but the more ominous aspect of this development is its likely disastrous impact on the nation's food security. Unless an adequate supply of diesel is ensured for irrigation, the consequences will not only be borne by individual farmers but will also ripple through the market and, ultimately, affect every household.

Meanwhile, the war in Iran has disrupted global oil and gas supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, causing global energy prices to spike. This shock has cascaded into the fertiliser sector, where natural gas is used both as feedstock and as an energy source for producing nitrogen-based fertilisers. Bangladesh has already shut down four of its five fertiliser factories amid a severe gas shortage.

The Ministry of Agriculture reportedly has a stock of 1.8 million tonnes of fertiliser against an annual demand of 6.9 million tonnes. Around 80 per cent of the country's fertiliser needs are met through imports. However, imports are becoming more expensive as global production declines and prices surge, raising concerns about ensuring sufficient supply for the upcoming Rabi and Boro seasons.

Nearly half of the world's traded urea, along with large volumes of other fertilisers, is exported from Gulf countries via the Strait of Hormuz, leaving global agriculture highly vulnerable to any disruption. Al Jazeera reports that urea export prices from the Middle East have surged by around 40 per cent, rising from just under $500 to over $700 per metric tonne as of last Friday-nearly 60 per cent higher than this time last year.

The Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Máximo Torero, recently warned that the ongoing disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is triggering one of the most severe shocks to global commodity flows in recent years, with significant implications for food security, agricultural production, and global markets. He singled out Bangladesh as one of the South Asian countries facing the most immediate impact, alongside India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. He also warned that unlike the 2022 Russia-Ukraine crisis, when countries were able to find alternative sources from the Gulf, this time such alternatives may be far more limited, since the Gulf itself is at the heart of the problem.

Against this backdrop, proactive policy measures from the government are imperative. First, domestic gas allocation must prioritise fertiliser production over competing uses, such as CNG-run vehicles or cooking, to safeguard food security. Simultaneously, the government should closely monitor global markets and support the private sector in timely imports of fertiliser to prevent shortages.

Second, the Ministry of Agriculture must ensure strict market monitoring to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Experience shows that unscrupulous traders exploit such situations. Recent reports indicate that although the government has fixed the price of a sack of urea fertiliser at Tk 1,250, farmers are paying between Tk 1,450 and Tk 1,460. A similar situation exists for DAP fertiliser, with an extra Tk 200 charged per sack. Farmers allege that dealers are creating artificial shortages to hike up the prices. The problem is not limited to fertiliser alone. Rising costs of pesticides and other agricultural inputs are also forcing many farmers to reduce cultivation.

Over the years, the agriculture sector achieved brilliant successes in terms of research and development of new strains of crops and crop diversification, brining the country close to achieving self-sufficiency in food production. These achievements of the sector not only contributed to the relative economic stability of the country but also to an increased calorie intake of the people thereby helping poverty alleviation. Quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides are some of the most fundamental inputs that the agricultural sector hinges upon. Slightest compromise on the question of these vital inputs is therefore suicidal for the country.​

 

[Saif]

Even a switch to maize fails to save many farmers

Storms and heavy rain last month damaged a range of crops, including maize. For maize farmers, it was a cruel blow, as many had turned to the cereal after repeated losses from low potato prices.

www.thedailystar.net

Even a switch to maize fails to save many farmers
Storm and rains in March damaged potato, maize, vegetables and Boro across the country

Sukanta Halder and S Dilip Roy

Nurjahan Begum sits in her storm-damaged maize field at Char Gobardhan of Lalmonirhat, wiping away tears. She said storms and heavy rain in March destroyed 60 percent of her crop. The photo was taken on March 27 at Aditmari upazila. PHOTO: S DILIP ROY

Storms and heavy rain last month damaged a range of crops, including maize. For maize farmers, it was a cruel blow, as many had turned to the cereal after repeated losses from low potato prices.

In northern districts, maize acreage has expanded gradually in recent years.

Farmers were encouraged by demand from the poultry and livestock feed industry, where prices are usually stable. For many, maize seemed a safer option.

This season, the cereal has been cultivated on about 1.27 lakh hectares across five districts of Rangpur region: Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur, Nilphamari and Gaibandha, according to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE).

The department says the rains in March damaged 520 hectares. The hit was particularly severe in the char areas.

For Nurjahan Begum, the damage was devastating. She cultivated maize on 1.5 bighas of land in Char Gobardhan on Teesta river. The 60-year-old from Aditmari upazila in Lalmonirhat said around 60 percent of her crop was destroyed by the storm.

Having lost much of her investment, Begum fears she may have to take out loans to continue farming.

In its assessment covering 18 districts, the DAE ranks maize as the second-worst-affected crop after potato. Banana and vegetable growers, as well as a number of Boro farmers, have also reported losses.

Potato growers were already under pressure from throwaway prices before the storms hit.

Rafiqul Islam, 45, from Barunagaon at Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, cultivated potatoes on 12 bighas at a production cost of about Tk 11 per kilogramme. Since the harvest began, prices have hovered between Tk 8 and Tk 9 per kilogramme.

After the rains, the rates rose slightly to Tk 13 per kilogramme. But Islam could not benefit. Heavy rain and waterlogging in mid-March left about 40 percent of the crop on four bighas rotting in the soil. The fields became too muddy to harvest.

Md Jamal Uddin, additional director for monitoring and implementation at the DAE field service wing, said they are currently compiling a list of affected farmers. Once the listing is complete, the government will decide on the support measures.

The DAE estimates production costs for potato varieties such as Asterix, Diamond and Granola at Tk 16.64 per kilogramme this season. Over the past month, field prices were somewhat stuck at Tk 8 to Tk 9 per kilogramme, well below the production costs.

In a statement yesterday, Bangladesh Khetmajur and Krishok Songothon, a platform representing landless labourers and small farmers, urged the government to act swiftly.

“Every year, crops are damaged due to various natural disasters. But there is no permanent system for crop compensation. We have been demanding the introduction of crop insurance for a long time,” it said.

“We expect the government to take steps to introduce crop insurance for farmers affected by natural disasters. In addition, we strongly demand the immediate listing of farmers affected by the storm and their compensation.”

Earlier, the Bangladesh Cold Storage Association called on the government to include storm-hit potato farmers in an agricultural rehabilitation programme.

In a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture on March 25, the association said early storms and heavy rain in the first half of the month had severely affected major potato-growing districts.

Waterlogging during the harvest period caused extensive damage to potatoes left in the fields, as well as crops yet to be harvested, the letter said.

Even those who managed to harvest face losses. Poor quality has made much of the crop unsuitable for storage, forcing farmers to sell at Tk 5 to Tk 6 per kilogramme, well below prevailing market rates, according to the association.​

 

[Saif]

Fertiliser, irrigation woes may cut Boro output

Bangladesh may harvest a lower quantity of rice from the current Boro season as farmers have faced difficulties in ensuring adequate irrigation and fertiliser application, due to shortages of key production inputs, according to a projection by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

www.thedailystar.net

Fertiliser, irrigation woes may cut Boro output

USDA says on Bangladesh

Star Business Report

A farmer tries to lift flattened paddy in a field in Khulna after strong winds and heavy rain lashed the area, raising fears of significant crop losses from lodging. The photo was taken in Dumuria upazila on April 8, 2026. Photo: Habibur Rahman

Bangladesh may harvest a lower quantity of rice from the current Boro season as farmers have faced difficulties in ensuring adequate irrigation and fertiliser application, due to shortages of key production inputs, according to a projection by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Growers may bag 2.02 crore tonnes of Boro rice this season in the marketing year (MY) 2026-27, down 1.4 percent year-on-year, even though overall acreage has not declined.

“This reduction in Boro rice yield is caused by disruptions in irrigation and fertiliser application resulting from fuel and fertiliser shortages,” said the US agency in its latest report on Bangladesh’s grain and feed, published at the end of last week.

Boro acreage stood at the same level at 49 lakh hectares this season, USDA said.

The forecast is issued at a time when farmers have begun to harvest Boro paddy in various parts of the country, particularly the northeastern region.

Boro rice is transplanted in the December-January period and harvested in the April-May period every year. The crop depends heavily on irrigation and chemical fertiliser application, and it accounts for around 55 percent of the country’s total yearly rice output.

The USDA said farmers in some areas purchased urea, potash, and phosphate fertilisers at prices above the government-set rates and applied them excessively to potatoes. This has led to a shortage of fertilisers for Boro rice cultivation.

As of the third week of March 2026, limited rainfall has provided some support to Boro crop growth. However, farmers expressed concern about diesel supply shortages for operating shallow and low-lift irrigation pumps, the report said.

As a result of the fall in Boro yield, overall rice production may drop to 3.74 crore tonnes in the marketing year 2026-27, which begins in May each year.

The projected amount is expected to decline by 0.7 percent from 3.76 crore tonnes in the outgoing marketing year 2024-25.

Rice consumption, including use in feed for poultry, cattle and aquaculture, is projected to be 3.91 crore tonnes in MY27, which is 1.3 percent higher than the USDA’s estimate of 3.86 crore tonnes in the outgoing marketing year.

As such, the USDA said rice imports are likely to grow to 15 lakh tonnes in the coming MY27, posting a 7.1 percent increase year-on-year.

The report said rice prices, despite a drop in recent months, are very high in the domestic market. These high prices are anticipated to continue throughout most of MY27 as the cost of rice production is expected to increase.

“In response, the new government is expected to take a cautious approach in order to maintain national food security. It is likely to continue facilitating rice imports through both public procurement via international tenders and government-to-government purchases, as well as private sector participation, to ensure adequate market supply and price stability,” said the USDA.

Between July 1, 2025, and April 8 this year, the public and private sectors have imported 11.19 lakh tonnes of rice, according to data from the food ministry.​

 

[Saif]

PM meets business leaders, seeks to revitalise agriculture sector in northern districts

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed a strong desire to see the agriculture and agro-processing sectors in northern Bangladesh revitalised. He has called upon businesspersons and traders to increase investment in the region, assuring them of comprehensive policy support in line with...

en.prothomalo.com

PM meets business leaders, seeks to revitalise agriculture sector in northern districts
The meetings were held in two phases over more than three hours, beginning at 11:00 am. The prime minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir also attended the meetings.

Special Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 15 Apr 2026, 13: 36

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman File photo

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed a strong desire to see the agriculture and agro-processing sectors in northern Bangladesh revitalised.

He has called upon businesspersons and traders to increase investment in the region, assuring them of comprehensive policy support in line with current economic realities.

The prime minister held meetings with leading industrialists and business leaders at the Secretariat on Monday. Details of the discussions emerged following conversations with participants.

The meetings were held in two phases over more than three hours, beginning at 11:00 am. The prime minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning, Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir also attended the meetings.

Participants in the meetings

In the first phase, attendees included Simeen Rahman, chief executive officer of Transcom Group; Parvez Saiful Islam, CEO of Square Food and Beverage; Kazi Zahedul Hasan, managing director of Kazi Farms Limited, along with Director Kazi Zahin Hasan; Tamara Hasan Abed, managing director of BRAC Enterprises; and Md Azizul Haque, associate director of Seed and Agro.

The second phase included Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group; Md Aminul Islam, managing director and CEO of Nabil Group of Industries; Mohammad Mostafa Haider and Tareq Ahmed of TK Group; SK Shamim Uddin, chairman of Akij Venture Group; Syed Zahurul Alam, CEO of Akij Food and Beverage; Tajwar Awal and Md Alamgir Hossain of Lal Teer Seeds; and Moshiur Rahman, managing director of Paragon Group.

The prime minister also advised greater investment in solar energy, highlighting existing tax incentives. The possibility of reduced tolls on the Jamuna Bridge for electric vehicles was also discussed.
Business leaders indicated that the prime minister has informed them of a follow-up meeting to be held within one to two months.

Focus on agro-industrial growth and policy support

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Kazi Zahedul Hasan said the prime minister sought opinions on how to accelerate industrialisation in northern Bangladesh, particularly in agriculture, agricultural commodities, agro-processed goods, and their export potential.

“He engaged in substantive discussions and asked what measures would be best for this sector. We highlighted both opportunities and challenges, and he assured us that these issues would be addressed,” Kazi Zahedul Hasan said.

As an example, Kazi Farms Limited MD noted that while the government provides subsidies for chemical fertilisers, organic fertilisers do not receive similar support.

“We produce organic fertiliser on a large scale, which is more beneficial for soil health. The prime minister acknowledged this and questioned why organic fertiliser should not receive subsidies, especially as it can serve as an import substitute,” he added.

Investment in agro-processing, energy, and infrastructure

After the meeting, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury told journalists that the prime minister listened attentively to discussions on agricultural development across the country, including northern regions, and provided guidance for appropriate policy action.

He noted that the prime minister encouraged investment in region-specific agriculture and in the sugar industry. Discussions also addressed the ongoing energy crisis, with business leaders emphasising increased reliance on solar power to alleviate current difficulties.

We aim to prioritise economic development and industrialisation in regions best suited to specific sectors. As part of this strategy, we intend to develop the northern region into a hub for specialised agricultural production, preservation, and exports-----Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Prime minister’s adviser.

The prime minister also advised greater investment in solar energy, highlighting existing tax incentives. The possibility of reduced tolls on the Jamuna Bridge for electric vehicles was also discussed.

Transcom Group CEO Simeen Rahman told Prothom Alo that discussions with the prime minister focused on developing agro-processing industries and increasing exports alongside meeting domestic demand. “The prime minister asked what we require. We emphasised policy support, and he assured us that such support would be provided,” she said.

Addressing structural challenges in agriculture

Moshiur Rahman of Paragon Group highlighted that food demand is rising despite limited land availability, underscoring the need to increase the production of quality food.

He pointed to maize production as a major challenge for the poultry, fisheries, and dairy sectors, stressing the need to expand maize cultivation on fallow land through both public and private initiatives.

He also raised concerns about inadequate waste management enforcement in industrial facilities, which is contributing to the spread of germs from one factory to another. Strengthening government laboratories to identify and prevent such diseases was also proposed.

The prime minister responded positively, indicating that relevant ministries would address these issues.

Developing northern Bangladesh as an economic hub

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Nabil Group MD and CEO Md Aminul Islam said that the prime minister aims to make northern Bangladesh self-reliant by increasing productivity, generating employment, and enhancing revenue collection from the region.

He emphasised the importance of producing import-substituting goods, expanding agro-processing, investing in solar power, generating energy from waste, improving mango preservation systems, and ensuring optimal land use. The prime minister assured maximum policy support for the region.

TK Group Director Mohammad Mostafa Haider noted that business leaders requested land for commercial farming in northern Bangladesh, along with uninterrupted power supply, low-interest financing, and tax benefits. A bond facility for exporting processed agricultural goods was also raised.

He added that the prime minister stressed achieving self-sufficiency in essential agricultural products while ensuring fair prices for farmers.

Private sector at the centre of economic recovery

Brac Enterprises MD Tamara Hasan Abed described the meeting as a positive step towards nation-building, noting that the prime minister had, for the first time, invited them for an extensive discussion focused largely on northern Bangladesh.

“He sought concrete, practical suggestions on how to enhance productivity in crops, dairy, honey, and other agricultural sectors, and how to attract greater investment. He also said that the government will assist as far as possible. But the government alone cannot accomplish everything,” she said.

Square Food and Beverage CEO Parvez Saiful Islam pointed out that Vietnam exports processed food worth US$6 billion, while Bangladesh is yet to significantly expand its own exports.

He highlighted a shortage of cold storage facilities in northern districts of Bangladesh, leading to 25–30 per cent post-harvest losses, and called for investment in cold storage and long-term solutions for exporting aromatic rice.

Government’s strategic vision

Speaking about the meeting, the prime minister’s adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir told Prothom Alo that the meeting was part of the government’s commitment, outlined in its election manifesto, to ensure equitable and balanced development across all regions.

“We aim to prioritise economic development and industrialisation in regions best suited to specific sectors. As part of this strategy, we intend to develop the northern region into a hub for specialised agricultural production, preservation, and exports,” he stated.

He added that the government’s broader objective is to rebuild and recover the fragile economy through a model centred on investment, production, employment, and revenue generation.

“The private sector lies at the heart of this model. Increased investment will drive production, which in turn will generate employment and boost government revenue,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

Energy shortage to reduce Bangladesh’s cotton import

The United States Department of Agriculture has again lowered its projection for Bangladesh’s cotton imports to 7.7 million bales for the ongoing 2025–26 marketing year, citing persistent energy supply shortages...

www.newagebd.net

Energy shortage to reduce Bangladesh’s cotton import
Saddam Hossain 15 April, 2026, 23:37

The United States Department of Agriculture has again lowered its projection for Bangladesh’s cotton imports to 7.7 million bales for the ongoing 2025–26 marketing year, citing persistent energy supply shortages.

The USDA also warned that additional factors, including logistical disruptions and broader economic instability, could further weigh on imports.

In March, the agency had projected Bangladesh’s cotton imports at 7.9 million bales, revising down from 8 million bales of January projection.

According to its latest report, Cotton and Products Annual: Bangladesh, imports are expected to decline due to disruptions in yarn production and weaker demand in the ready-made garment sector.

Bangladesh, the world’s largest cotton importer and second-largest RMG exporter, may face a prolonged recovery before returning to peak operations and optimal lint utilisation, the USDA said.

Data showed that in the 2024–25 marketing year, which begins in August, Bangladesh imported 8.05 million bales of cotton, up from 7.57 million bales in MY24 and 7 million bales in MY23.

Brazil emerged as the largest single supplier, surpassing India, although West Africa remained the primary source region.

The USDA had earlier cut its projection for Bangladesh’s cotton imports to 8 million bales in January, down from 8.1 million bales projected in August and November last year.

Showkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, said yarn imports have surged by over 137 per cent in the past year, forcing a significant number of spinning mills to reduce production.

‘Textile millers are also not receiving adequate banking support, which is hampering the opening of letters of credit,’ he said.

He added that banks were increasingly acting as collection agents for the central bank rather than extending credit to clients.

‘Rising yarn imports, lack of banking support and persistent gas and energy shortages have forced many mills to shut down or operate at reduced capacity, leading to lower cotton imports,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the USDA raised India’s cotton import forecast by 200,000 bales to 4.2 million bales, up from 4 million projected in March.

It also projected that Vietnam could overtake Bangladesh as the largest cotton importer by the end of MY26, with imports estimated at 7.8 million bales, although this was revised down from 8 million bales earlier.

The downward revision reflects eight consecutive months of negative growth in Bangladesh’s RMG exports, weak global demand, and ongoing geopolitical tensions.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh’s RMG exports stood at $28.58 billion during July–March of the current fiscal year, marking a 5.51 per cent decline from $30.25 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said exports have declined over the past eight months due to weak global demand, reduced buyer inquiries, shifting sourcing patterns, and the Middle East crisis.

‘Order flows have yet to recover. The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up global fuel prices and affected supply chains,’ he said.

The USDA noted that Bangladesh’s textile sector, comprising 526 spinning mills, 990 fabric manufacturing units and 342 dyeing, printing and finishing facilities, meets about 85 per cent of yarn demand for knitwear and 40 per cent for woven garments.

However, the sector is currently navigating significant structural and economic challenges due to domestic gas shortages and global pressures on fuel, LNG, and LPG supplies.

Industry insiders said many mills are operating at only 40–50 per cent capacity because of inadequate gas supply.

BTMA president Russell urged the government to provide stronger policy and financial support to textile millers, including improved access to bank financing.

He also suggested introducing industry upgrade funds, similar to those in India, to boost productivity and employment, while ensuring that support reaches compliant businesses.

Globally, cotton production in MY26 is forecast to increase by more than 0.9 million bales to 121.9 million bales, driven by higher output in China, India, and Pakistan, offsetting lower production in Argentina.

Global consumption is projected to rise by 0.6 million bales to 119.1 million, as stronger demand in China and India offsets weaker demand in Bangladesh and Vietnam.

The USDA estimated Bangladesh’s domestic cotton production at around 153,000 bales from 45,000 hectares in MY26, accounting for less than 2 per cent of total consumption.

Cotton cultivation is concentrated in the western districts of Jashore, Jhenaidah, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Meherpur, and Magura.​