Kamruzzaman Bablu :
Country’s spinning millers imports most of their cotton from India, though the country has taken recourses to different unethical practices like holding shipment without valid reasons, not giving an organic certificate and others. To resolve these issues, local millers plan to increase cotton import from the U.S instead of India, said industry insiders.
The sources said, a significant 76 percent of cotton consumers prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. They are increasingly avoiding brands that neglect environmental or social responsibility. This is why; Bangladeshi spinning millers mostly import cotton from the neighboring country India due to minimize shipping cost. But nowadays the local spinning millers want to shy away from India.
In terms of cotton import challenges from India, the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Showkat Aziz Russell said, “A big portion of cotton comes from India. But now we want to shy away from India. Because, whenever our demand increases and despite full payment they (India) increase the price unethically. Not only that, even they are holding the shipment without valid reasons. Not to mention, not giving an organic certificate, though our millers are buying organic cotton from them.”
“Despite offering superior quality and sustainability, U.S. cotton often faces challenges due to longer lead times. To resolve this issue, we plan to invest in warehouse facilities to optimize inventory management and increase usage. Thus whenever spinning mills open an LC, it can be delivered in no time. In addition, we want to increase cooperation to create a win-win situation with the USA and Bangladeshi business community. Most importantly, we aim to increase our US cotton usage,” Russell told The New Nation.
Meanwhile, a number of cotton exporters giant and officials of The U.S.A affirmed the Bangladesh’s cotton millers and importers to strengthen collaborations with spinning factories. They emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between U.S. cotton growers and Bangladeshi textile mills and how Bangladesh’s textile spinning industry can leverage high-quality, transparent and sustainable U.S. cotton to stay ahead in the evolving global fashion supply chain.
In an event name ‘Cotton Day 2024 Bangladesh’ hosted by COTTON USA and jointly organized by Cotton Council International (CCI)- the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America (NCC), a non-profit trade association that promotes U.S. cotton fiber and manufactured cotton products around the globe, held at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday highlights the benefits of using high-quality, sustainable U.S. cotton in Bangladesh’s textile industry.
William Bettendorf, Regional Director-SAG, CCI said, “The global cotton market is facing challenges, with demand lagging behind production and prices remaining low. The ongoing drought in Texas has further impacted the U.S. cotton crop. We must innovate and think creatively to thrive in this competitive environment.”
He also highlighted that the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol offers a reliable source of sustainable cotton, which is increasingly sought after by brands worldwide. CCI’s commitment to quality, integrity, and customer service positions us as a leading provider of premium cotton.
Frederick Barrier, Vice President-Sales, Staple Cotton Cooperative said, “The future of global cotton production will be influenced by several factors. The relative profitability of other crops, advancements in seed technology, effective pest and weed control, production costs, water availability, sustainable farming practices, and government support programs will all play significant roles in shaping the industry’s trajectory.”
John King, Senior Vice President, Olam Agri in his presentation showed that in terms of top U.S. cotton export markets, in 2024-25, Bangladesh’s commitment is 275,000 bales with a 4 percent market share. In terms of Bangladesh’s cotton imports from the world, Bangladesh remained in the second spot after China. In 2024-25 (till November), the country imported 7.7 million bales – which is 0.1 percent up then the previous year.
Eva Maria Bille, EU Policy Director at Hill & Knowlton Strategies, highlighted the importance of empowering consumers in the EU Green Transition during her presentation. She emphasized the need for clear and verifiable environmental claims, recognized by EU ecolabels or ISO 14024-type schemes.
