Bangladesh’s cotton imports will be 7.1 million bales in 2017-18, making it the world’s largest importer of the fiber. Local growers can supply less than three per cent of yearly demand. The demand for the natural fiber is on the rise in Bangladesh as it is the only country that is still mainly dependent on raw cotton for making yarns and fabrics.

The other countries have shifted to manmade fibers like filament, polyester or viscose. Currently the ratio of cotton and manmade fiber use is 28:72 worldwide, with a pronounced tilt towards artificial fibers due to lower price, improved functionality and ease of use.

However, this ratio is not applicable in Bangladesh yet as more than 90 per cent of yarns and fabrics are made from natural cotton in the country. Cotton consumption is rising from the spinners’ end. The demand for both yarns and fabrics is increasing every year. The over 430 local spinning mills can supply nearly 90 per cent of the yarn for the knitwear sector and 40 per cent of the fabrics needed by the woven sector.

Currently, Bangladesh imports 55 per cent of its cotton from India, thanks to favorable prices, geographical proximity, shorter lead time and the quality of the fiber.