[🇧🇩] Textile & RMG Industry of Bangladesh

[Bilal9]

Bangladesh' RMG exports to USA, in absence of tariffs that affect Indian and Chinese exports have gone up around 18% which is as of last FY (post no. 399 above).

This will go up even more this FY.

However - as you said, knit sector is facing some problems due to Bank non-cooperation.

We also need to diversify exports, which is a crying need of the day. It is happening, but not fast enough.

 

[Saif]

Apparel sector's stake in climate adaptation

The findings of a new study conducted by the Global Labor Institute (GLI) of Cornell University, USA could trigger both optimism and concern. The study suggests investing in climate adaptation can help Bangladesh fetch US$122.01 billion in apparel exports by the year 2030. On the flip side, however

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Apparel sector's stake in climate adaptation

Published :
Dec 14, 2025 23:32
Updated :
Dec 14, 2025 23:32

The findings of a new study conducted by the Global Labor Institute (GLI) of Cornell University, USA could trigger both optimism and concern. The study suggests investing in climate adaptation can help Bangladesh fetch US$122.01 billion in apparel exports by the year 2030. On the flip side, however, it warns that without adaptation measures, exports from this sector could fall sharply to US$95.35 billion, representing a 21.85 per cent loss. The study attributes this effect primarily to lost worker productivity due to extreme heat and flooding, which subsequently takes a toll on overall industrial output. The employment forecast is equally grim in the absence of adaptation. By 2030, the failure to adapt could result in a loss of 250,000 potential jobs. Investment in climate adaptation measures, therefore, is not merely a choice but a key imperative for the future of the garment industry and many other sectors.

These losses are not hypothetical. It is driven by measurable physical realities. For example, Dhaka has seen a significant 56.1 per cent rise in the average number of hot days over 35°C in the last two decades. The prediction of days exceeding the moderate heat stress threshold is set to nearly double in Dhaka by 2050, from an already high number in 2030. This heat directly correlates with falling productivity. The study highlights that workers in Bangladesh are the most climate-vulnerable among the 21 apparel production centres assessed. This is compounded by a low climate readiness score and inadequate social protection coverage. Furthermore, the dual threat of intensifying heat and flooding cause machinery damage, material loss and significant business disruption.

The GLI report offers a set of recommendations as well. These include setting and enforcing mandatory standards for work hours, rest breaks and hydration. It also calls for investing in cooling systems and resilient infrastructure so that heat stress and flooding can be mitigated. At the same time, the study suggests classifying heat stress and floods as health hazards, allowing workers to take paid leave. The study makes it clear that climate adaptation is synonymous with economic stability and social justice for Bangladesh. The investment required now is a fraction of the catastrophic losses projected for the near future. It is time for policymakers and apparel industry entrepreneurs to heed the warning of climate change and act decisively to protect millions of livelihoods and sustain the sector's growth momentum.

Over the years, Bangladesh has made significant strides in greening the factories. The country can now boast the highest number of green garment factories in the world. However, it cannot afford to let complacency set as far greater challenges loom in future both in terms of the loss of trade privileges following the LDC graduation and climate vulnerability. In order to sustain the growth momentum in the post-LDC era, the industry must enhance competitiveness through product diversification, high-value addition, technology upgrading and skill development. The challenges ahead may seem daunting, but with concerted efforts from brands and strategic policy support from the government, the sector can secure a sustainable growth.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh becomes world largest cotton importer in MY25

Bangladesh became the world’s largest importer of cotton, importing 8.05 million bales in the marketing year 2024-25, which starts August 1...

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh becomes world largest cotton importer in MY25
Brazil becomes main supplier overtaking India

Saddam Hossain 14 December, 2025, 23:33

A file photo shows a worker overseeing a cotton processing machine at a factory in Habiganj. | New Age photo

Bangladesh became the world’s largest importer of cotton, importing 8.05 million bales in the marketing year 2024-25, which starts August 1.

According to data recently released by the United States Department of Agriculture, imports were 5.2 per cent higher than in MY2023-24, at 7.8 million bales.

Bangladesh became the top cotton importer in MY25 as the textile industry continued to recover from a post-pandemic slowdown, the report added, saying that despite a political regime change, cotton imports remained stable throughout the marketing year.

Meanwhile, during MY25, Brazil emerged as the largest single supplier of cotton, surpassing India, although West Africa remained the primary source region.

According to USDA data, Bangladesh imported 1.9 million bales of cotton from Brazil in MY25, accounting for approximately 25 per cent of total imports.

The import from India stood at 1.4 million, which was 15 per cent of the total imports, followed by 1.06 million bales from Benin (13 per cent), 616,538 bales from Cameroon (8 per cent), and about 595,902 bales from the United States and Australia, each holding 7 per cent of total imports.

Regarding greater imports from Brazil than from India, the report stated that Brazilian cotton has become popular among Bangladeshi spinners due to its competitive pricing, wide availability during harvest, and stable supply.

Fazlul Hoque, former vice president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, echoed a similar sentiment, noting that Brazil experienced a surge in cotton production, which kept prices comparatively low.

‘Although Brazil is far from our country, the pricing remained competitive despite the long route,’ he said, noting that Brazilian cotton sellers stocked their cotton at various ports, from where any importer could easily import.

The price of Brazilian cotton remained lower than that of West African countries and India; for this reason, the millers have been leaning toward the South American country.

Meanwhile, Brazil has long sought to increase the supply of cotton for Bangladesh’s textile sector by ensuring continuity and sustainability through strategic partnerships in Asia.

In June of 2022, Brazilian cotton businesses led by Brazilian Cotton Growers Association president Julio Cezar Busato visited Bangladesh and discussed a number of cotton millers.

In April of 2024, a delegation led by Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira visited Bangladesh, just after another delegation of ABRAPA visited Bangladesh on February of the same year.

During MY25, Vietnam became the second-largest importer of cotton, importing 7.9 million bales, followed by Pakistan (6.1 million bales) and China (5.1 million bales).

The report also stated that domestic cotton use in Bangladesh stood at 8.1 million bales in MY25. The USDA report forecast that for MY2025-26, the raw cotton import might increase to 8.4 million bales, up 1.4 per cent from the estimated 8.1 million bales in MY25, due to higher utilisation of raw cotton by the spinning industry.

However, textile millers stated that imports might decline in the coming months, as the country’s textile sector has been experiencing difficulties due to energy shortages and reduced demand.

Regarding domestic production, the report indicated that in the current MY26, the harvested area and production might stand at 46,000 hectares and 155,000 bales, respectively.

Cotton cultivation is fully manual in the country, relying heavily on human labour for applying fertilisers, spraying insecticides, and harvesting, the report added.​