Brazil Becomes Bangladesh’s Top Raw Cotton Supplier

Bangladesh imported nearly 8.28 million bales of raw cotton this marketing year, a 5% increase from last year. Brazil supplied approximately 1.9 million bales, about one-fourth of total imports, while India, previously the top supplier, provided 1.4 million bales, now ranked second.

The USDA report notes this change came after a caretaker government assumed office following political unrest in August 2024, yet raw material supply for the garment sector remained uninterrupted.

Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest ready-made garment exporter, contributing nearly 80% of total exports and roughly one-tenth of GDP. Around 4 million workers, mostly women, are employed in the industry.

Although Brazil leads in raw cotton imports, India remains dominant in cotton yarn supply, providing 82% of the country’s total yarn imports this fiscal year, followed by China. Experts note that India’s advanced spinning technology, fast transport, and relatively lower logistics costs maintain its attractiveness for Bangladeshi importers.

USDA forecasts raw cotton imports for Bangladesh may increase further in the 2025–26 marketing year, potentially reaching 8.4 million bales.