US Cotton Loses Ground In Bangladesh Over Shipping Delays: USDA
The United States is steadily losing ground in cotton exports to Bangladesh, primarily due to shipping delays and logistical concerns, according to the latest report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
In the marketing year (MY) 2023–24, beginning August, Bangladesh imported 7.8 million bales of cotton, with US cotton accounting for only 9% of the total, down from 10% in MY23. The trend continued into MY25, where US cotton made up just 6% of Bangladesh’s cotton imports in the first seven months, compared to 11% during the same period a year earlier.
The USDA’s Cotton and Products Annual report, released on March 31, attributed the decline to shipment delays, stating that many Bangladeshi spinning mills prefer US cotton for its quality but are discouraged by long transit times. In contrast, cotton from West Africa and South America, often sold while afloat or stored in nearby Asian ports, offers quicker delivery.
During the first seven months of MY25, West African countries supplied 1.9 million bales (41% of Bangladesh’s total imports), while Brazil led as the top single-country supplier with 970,487 bales (20%), followed by India with 887,600 bales (19%).
The report added that Brazilian cotton is increasingly favoured for its competitive pricing, stable supply, and shorter shipment windows. “The market share of West African and South American cotton is increasing based on these logistical advantages,” the USDA noted.
The decline in US cotton shipments comes as former President Donald Trump’s administration recently imposed steep tariffs on goods from 60 countries, including Bangladesh, which will now face a 37% higher duty on exports to the US. In response, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus wrote to the US President, pledging to boost imports of American farm products, including cotton, and announced plans for a duty-free bonded warehouse facility for US cotton.
Despite political unrest in 2024, including the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector is rebounding. The USDA projects cotton imports to rise to 8.2 million bales in MY26, driven by renewed orders from global apparel brands and improved law and order conditions since January 2025.
