Bangladesh to remain top cotton importer in MY26 with record 8.5 million bales: USDA

Bangladesh is projected to retain its position as the world’s largest cotton importer in marketing year (MY) 2025-26, with imports expected to hit a record 8.5 million bales, according to the USDA. Vietnam follows closely with 8 million bales, marking historic highs for both countries.

This rise aligns with a projected five-year high in global cotton consumption at 118.1 million bales, driven by stable economic activity in textile-exporting nations like Bangladesh and Vietnam. The growth reflects the ongoing expansion of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, which earned $30.25 billion in the first ten months of FY25 a 10.86 per cent year-on-year rise.

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said the rising US cotton imports are part of a broader strategy to reduce trade imbalances and push for duty-free access in the US. He called US cotton the most preferred for its quality and consistency.

The USDA sees this import trend as a sign of Bangladesh’s strong role in the global apparel supply chain. Globally, cotton trade is set to rise by 2.3 million bales to 44.8 million bales in MY26. With China’s imports halving, Bangladesh’s leadership signals a shift in trade flows. Domestic cotton production, however, still meets just 2 per cent of demand.