India seeks solutions as Bangladesh shuts land ports for yarn imports

India’s textile mills are scrambling for alternatives after Bangladesh halted yarn imports through land ports. Nearly 30 per cent of India’s yarn is exported to Bangladesh mainly dyed and specialty yarn used these routes, forcing exporters to consider container shipping and inland waterways.

In a recent meeting, yarn exporters discussed alternate transport modes and engaged with Bangladeshi buyers. Siddhartha Rajagopal, Executive Director of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council, highlighted challenges with sea shipments, especially lead times. Though 70 per cent of Indian yarn to Bangladesh already moves by sea, rerouting the remaining 30 per cent could strain capacity. He suggested exploring smaller ships from Kolkata to manage the shift.

K Selvaraju, Secretary General, Southern India Mills Association (SIMA), noted Bangladesh accounts for 45 per cent of India’s yarn exports. With total exports falling from over 100 million kg to about 90 million kg a month, any disruption in Bangladesh-bound shipments could flood the domestic market and depress yarn prices, hurting the entire textile value chain.

Currently, mills in northern India are bearing the brunt of the closure. However, if the issue remains unresolved, it could severely impact the broader spinning sector. Exporters have urged the Indian government to take up the matter diplomatically with Bangladesh.