Bangladesh is interested in cotton from Australia.

While Australian cotton is expensive for Bangladesh’s spinners, tie-ups between textile companies in Bangladesh and big retail buyers in Australia are proving to be a lucrative and growing channel for Australian cotton growers.

Australia’s trade with Bangladesh has grown steadily over the past few years. With a growing middle class of around 30 million, Bangladesh is also developing as a significant consumer market, while exports account for 25 per cent of GDP.

Bangladesh is the second largest cotton importer in the world and has recorded an annual growth of six per cent since 1990 due to its growing textile industry. It is also the second largest garment exporter in the world, with readymade garments accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the country’s export revenue. Yet, as only 0.1 million bales are produced locally, Bangladesh imports more than six million bales of cotton. This is projected to double within four years and see Bangladesh overtake China as the world’s largest importer of cotton.

Australia is the world’s fourth largest cotton exporter and has earned a reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality cotton which has almost zero contamination. Short shipping times from Australian ports, in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, to Asian markets provide added advantages.