Cotton production in Bangladesh quite low despite huge demand

The country’s production last year was nearly 1 per cent of the total annual consumption of 9 million bales of cotton. Some 480 pounds, or 218 kilogrammes, make a bale.

Spinners, millers and other users have to spend more than $3 billion annually to buy cotton from India, the United States, Africa, Australia, Brazil, Pakistan, and Central Asian nations.

The output has increased by 10,000 bales annually over the last five years, but the quantity has not touched 2 lakh bales.

Cotton Development Board executive director Mohammad Akhteruzzaman blames the scarcity of arable land, emphasis on food production and lower price of cotton for the farmers' lack of interest in growing the crop.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)