On 10 December 2024, COTTON USA held the Cotton Day 2024 Bangladesh event in Dhaka, showcasing the benefits of integrating high-quality, sustainable US cotton into Bangladesh’s textile industry.
Organised by Cotton Council International (CCI)—the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America—the event aimed to bolster partnerships with Bangladeshi spinning mills and enhance competitiveness in the global fashion supply chain.
Showkat Aziz Russell, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), praised the superior quality of US cotton while acknowledging the challenges posed by longer lead times. To address these issues, he announced plans to invest in warehousing facilities to improve inventory management and ensure timely deliveries for spinning mills. He also highlighted difficulties in importing cotton from India, citing unethical pricing practices and shipment delays, and expressed a desire to reduce dependence on Indian suppliers.
William Bettendorf, CCI’s Regional Director for Southern Africa and Greater Asia, addressed challenges in the global cotton market, including reduced demand, low prices, and the impact of drought conditions in Texas on US cotton production. He introduced the COTTON USA Mill Performance Index, a tool to help spinning mills benchmark productivity and efficiency, demonstrating how sourcing US cotton can improve performance. Bettendorf also highlighted the US Cotton Trust Protocol, a framework assuring sustainable cotton production to meet the rising demand from global fashion brands.
Frederick Barrier, Vice President of Sales at Staple Cotton Cooperative, discussed factors shaping the future of cotton production, including crop profitability, advanced agricultural technologies, and sustainable farming practices. John King, Senior Vice President at Olam Agri, noted that Bangladesh is projected to import 275,000 bales of US cotton in 2024-25, representing 4% of the market share. As the world’s second-largest cotton importer after China, Bangladesh remains a critical player in the global cotton trade.
The event also highlighted the importance of sustainability and transparency in the textile sector. Eva Maria Bille, EU Policy Director at Hill & Knowlton Strategies, stressed the need for transparency in environmental claims to empower consumers amid the EU’s green transition. She underscored the growing significance of US cotton as a dependable and sustainable option. Zoe Lindsey, Vice President of Sales at Oritain, pointed out the increasing scrutiny of the fashion industry’s sustainability and ethical practices.
Hosted by Ali Arsalan, CCI’s representative in Bangladesh, the event brought together approximately 250 participants, including industry leaders, brands, technology providers, and cotton specialists. It provided a platform for exploring innovative solutions and strengthening collaboration between US cotton producers and Bangladeshi textile mills, ensuring a competitive edge in the global textile industry.
COTTON USA remains committed to fostering sustainability, innovation, and strong partnerships across the textile value chain.
