India jute imports from Bangladesh through Chattogram Port on the rise

India’s jute imports from Bangladesh through the Chattogram port has seen an increase as trade restrictions on land routes force cargo to be rerouted by sea. Since May, New Delhi has imposed three separate bans on Bangladeshi exports, affecting items like garments, processed foods, plastics, yarn, furniture, and, most recently, raw jute and jute goods. While sea routes remain open, they are slower and more expensive, as shipments often have to travel to a third country like Colombo before being redirected to Indian ports such as Kolkata and Nhava Sheva.

Despite these obstacles, Indian buyers have continued to source from Bangladesh, citing limited alternatives. Businesses always calculate time and cost, and sea shipments from Bangladesh can still be cheaper than importing from elsewhere, says Abul Bashar, Chairman, BSM Group. Duty-free access helps offset higher freight charges, points out Syed Tanvir Ahmed, Managing Director, Pacific Jeans. But, all this trade is now funneled through Chattogram alone, he warns.

Data from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Chattogram Customs House show, Bangladesh’s exports to India via Chattogram increased by 139 per cent Y-o-Y in the first eight months of 2025, reaching $338.2 million compared to $141.4 million the previous year. Export volumes more than doubled to 116,000 tons.

Overall, Bangladesh exported goods worth $1.22 billion to India during the January-August period, a 3.3 per cent Y-o-Y rise, though overall volumes declined by 11 per cent to 760,000 tons.