African nations have become the largest source of cotton for Bangladesh as local spinners and millers cut down their dependence on. Last year, Bangladesh had imported 26.12 per cent of its total cotton requirement from India. The country had cut down cotton imports from India by more than 60 per cent two years ago, according to data from the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA). Last year, Bangladesh imported 11.35 percent of the cotton from the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries, 11.14 per cent from the US, 4.65 per cent from Australia and 9.65 per cent from the rest of the world.

One reason for Bangladesh’s declining cotton imports from India is the low quality of the Indian cotton, says Monsoor Ahmed, Secretary, BTMA. Also, Indian cotton traders fail to maintain timely shipments and deliver the right quantity as per agreement, adds Mehdi Ali, President, Bangladesh Cotton Association.