Due to Bangladesh's recent closure of its land ports to yarn exports from India, Indian textile mills are seeking alternative transportation methods for the same.

Approximately 30 per cent of India's yarn exports to Bangladesh, primarily dyed and specialty yarns, were previously transported via these land ports.

At a recent meeting, yarn exporters discussed options such as container shipping and inland waterways. They also met with buyers in Bangladesh.

Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director, Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, notes, while 70 per cent of Indian yarn already goes to Bangladesh by sea, the increased lead time for those who previously used land ports is a concern. Exploring smaller ships from Kolkata can be a potential solution for this, he suggests. .

K. Selvaraju, Secretary General, Southern India Mills’ Association, states, nearly 45 per cent of India's yarn exports go to Bangladesh. Overall Indian yarn exports have decreased from over 100 million kg a month to approximately 90 million kg, with China and Bangladesh being the primary markets. This reduction in Chinese imports has already impacted the industry, and further disruption of exports to Bangladesh could lead to increased domestic supply and decreased prices, affecting the entire textile value chain.

Currently, textile mills in northern India are most affected by the port closures. However, if the situation persists, the entire textile spinning sector could face repercussions.