Rising cotton prices have hit Bangladesh apparel makers. If the price spiral continues, Bangladesh’s importers might face troubles as almost all the demand for the raw material is met through imports in the absence of domestic production.

The country has to import most of its cotton demand. Imports are from India, the US, the Middle Eastern countries and some African countries.

Cotton textiles is the largest imported category by Bangladesh, representing 55 per cent of total textile and apparel imports. This is followed by manmade textiles, others and apparel with a share of 35 per cent, 6.8 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively.

China is the largest supplier accounting for a 58 per cent share. India is the second largest supplier of textile and apparel products to Bangladesh. Cotton textiles is the largest category with a share of 77 per cent in India’s textile and apparel exports to Bangladesh. This is followed by manmade textiles and apparel having a share of 17 per cent and four per cent respectively.

Currently Bangladesh imports yarn and fabric from China, India and other nations to fill the demand-supply gap. However, many new investments are planned in the spinning and weaving sectors of Bangladesh in the coming years.