Jute Cultivation and Farming Around The World

Chart taken from: Faostat

Jute, often called the “golden fiber, is a natural, biodegradable crop widely used for sacks, ropes, carpets, and geo-textiles. Its low environmental footprint is increasingly valued, with global production hovering around 2.7 million tonnes annually. While India and Bangladesh dominate, supplying nearly 99% of the world’s output, jute cultivation also occurs in countries such as China, Uzbekistan, Nepal, and several in Africa and Latin America.

 

Jute Production Around The Globe

 

A thorough country-level examination of jute cultivation is essential for understanding the global jute landscape:

1. Production Shares and Volumes

• In 2023, Bangladesh held a 50.38% share of global jute production, followed by India at 48.38%, accounting for nearly 99% of the output.

• Other significant producers include China (0.51%), Uzbekistan (0.38%), Nepal (0.26%), South Sudan (0.10%), and Zimbabwe (0.082%).

• India produces approximately 1.97 million tonnes annually, while Bangladesh yields around 1.24 million tonnes.

2. Crop Yield and Land Use

• Total world production stands near 2.7 million tonnes, down from a high of about 4.5 million tonnes in 1985.

• Declines in jute cultivation area in Bangladesh, over 25,000 hectares lost in a single year, have led to a 10.8% production drop in 2021–22.

3. Global Distribution Patterns

• Over 80% of global jute production originates from the Ganges Delta, shared by Bangladesh and India.

• The top three producing countries (India, Bangladesh, China) contribute around 98.9% of the total jute output.

4. Trade and Export Figures

• Bangladesh exports about 0.6–0.8 million bales (out of 7–8 million produced annually) of raw jute.

• Jute goods exports by Bangladesh totaled approximately USD 800 million in a recent year.

5. Trends and Shifts

• In 2023, Bangladesh grew production by +2.08%, India declined by −0.60%, and China fell by −12.35% year‑on‑year.

• Several smaller producers—South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Egypt—registered modest growth (+0.83%, +1.05%, −0.32% respectively).

 

What Is Jute and Why Is It Important Globally?

 

Jute is a long, soft, shiny bast fiber obtained from the plants Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis, grown mainly in warm, humid regions with alluvial soil. It is spun into coarse, strong threads and is among the most affordable natural fibers after cotton. Jute is biodegradable, compostable, and renewable, making it increasingly valuable in today’s environmentally conscious world.

Economic and Ecological Benefits

Jute plays a significant role in the agricultural economies of countries like India and Bangladesh, employing millions of farmers and workers in rural areas. In India alone, more than 4 million people are directly or indirectly dependent on the jute industry. It is also a low-input crop, requiring minimal pesticides and fertilizers, which reduces farming costs and environmental risks.

From an ecological perspective, jute helps improve soil fertility and absorbs large quantities of CO₂. One hectare of jute plants can absorb up to 15 tons of carbon dioxide and release 11 tons of oxygen during their growing season. It also prevents soil erosion and acts as a natural barrier during floods in deltaic regions.

Applications: Textile, Packaging, Geo-textiles, and More
Traditionally, jute has been used for making sacks, ropes, and coarse fabrics. However, modern applications have expanded significantly. Today, jute is used in:

• Textiles: blended with cotton and other fibers for eco-friendly clothing and home textiles

• Packaging: as a replacement for plastic in bags and sacks

• Geo-textiles: for erosion control, road construction, and riverbank stabilization

• Home décor: carpets, rugs, curtains

• Agriculture: biodegradable pots and mulching sheets

Growing Demand for Sustainable Natural Fibers
With rising concerns over plastic pollution and climate change, there is a growing global demand for sustainable alternatives. Jute, being renewable and eco-friendly, is positioned as a leading solution. The European Union and other environmentally focused markets have significantly increased their demand for jute-based products in packaging and textiles, further strengthening jute’s global importance.

Jute cultivation process, source: Sahapedia YouTube

 

Ideal Conditions for Jute Cultivation & Why India and Bangladesh Have a Head Start?

 

Jute is a tropical crop that grows best in hot and humid climates with consistent rainfall and fertile, well-drained soil. It requires specific environmental conditions for optimal yield and fiber quality:

1. Soil Type:
Jute thrives in alluvial loamy soils, rich in organic matter and nutrients. The soil should be well-drained yet moisture-retentive, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Sandy or clay-heavy soils are less suitable due to poor water regulation.

2. Temperature and Humidity:
Ideal temperatures range from 24°C to 37°C, with relative humidity over 70%. These warm, moist conditions support fast vegetative growth and robust fiber formation.

3. Rainfall:
Jute needs 1500–2500 mm of rainfall annually, with consistent distribution over the growing season. While adequate water is necessary, standing water can harm seedlings, making drainage equally crucial.

4. Sowing and Harvest Timeline:

• Sowing: March to May, depending on regional climate.

• Harvesting: Around 100–120 days after sowing, typically July to September.

• Post-harvest, the stalks are left for retting, a microbial process essential for fiber separation.

The Jute Protagonists: India and Bangladesh

 

1. Geographical Advantage:
Both countries are located in the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, which offers ideal alluvial floodplains, abundant water bodies for retting, and highly fertile soils. This natural landscape provides a near-perfect ecosystem for jute cultivation.

2. Climate Suitability:
The monsoon patterns in these regions deliver exactly the kind of warm and humid climate that jute needs high rainfall during the growing season, with relatively stable temperatures year-round.

3. Historical Cultivation and Expertise:
Jute has been grown in these regions for centuries, making India and Bangladesh not just producers but centers of agronomic knowledge, labor availability, and processing infrastructure.

4. Scale and Infrastructure:
India and Bangladesh together produce more than 95% of the world’s raw jute. Their dominance is supported by mill networks, established export channels, and government-backed policies such as India’s Jute Packaging Materials Act and Bangladesh’s raw jute export incentives.

These combined natural, historical, and institutional advantages give India and Bangladesh a clear lead in global jute cultivation.

Why Other Countries Are Facing Challenges in Jute Cultivation?

 

 

While India and Bangladesh dominate global jute production, several other countries have attempted to enter or expand in the jute sector. However, most face significant challenges that hinder large-scale or profitable cultivation. These obstacles are a combination of climatic limitations, infrastructure deficits, and economic or policy-related barriers.

1. Unsuitable or Inconsistent Climate

Jute requires specific agro-climatic conditions: high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and high humidity for extended periods. Many countries, such as Egypt, South Sudan, and regions in Latin America, have only partial suitability. Either rainfall is irregular, temperatures are too extreme, or the required humidity is lacking, leading to low yields or poor fiber quality.

2. Lack of Retting Facilities and Water Bodies

Jute is a crucial post-harvest process that requires plentiful, clean, slow-flowing water. Countries without adequate water infrastructure or access to suitable rivers and ponds find it difficult to perform effective retting, resulting in coarse, low-grade fiber. In many African and Central American regions, water scarcity or pollution further complicates this process.

3. Limited Technical Know-How

Unlike India or Bangladesh, newer jute-producing countries often lack experienced farmers, research institutions, or technical training programs. Without proper knowledge of crop cycles, pest management, and retting methods, the quality and consistency of the output suffer.

4. Inadequate Policy Support and Investment

In most jute-developing nations, governments prioritize staple food crops or export-oriented cash crops (like cotton, coffee, or soy). Jute receives little to no subsidy, insurance, or infrastructure support, making it a financially risky crop for farmers.

5. Labor and Market Access Issues

Jute farming is labor-intensive, especially during retting and fiber extraction. In countries with high labor costs or urban migration trends, there’s a shortage of rural workers. Additionally, limited processing units and domestic demand mean many farmers struggle to find buyers or export avenues.

These factors explain why many nations, even those with similar climates, struggle to scale jute cultivation effectively. Without the combined presence of natural resources, skilled labor, water access, and policy backing, jute cannot compete with better-supported crops or more dominant producers.

Country-Wise Jute Cultivation Analysis

 

India – The Largest Jute Producer

 

Key Production Regions: West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, and Odisha

 

India accounts for approximately 60% of the world’s raw jute production. Among Indian states, West Bengal alone produces over 75% of the country’s total jute output. The major districts include Nadia, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, and North 24 Parganas.

Assam contributes around 8 to 10%, primarily from the Brahmaputra Valley. Bihar produces nearly 10 to 12%, with districts like Katihar and Purnea being prominent. Odisha, though smaller in contribution, has been expanding its cultivation steadily.

Farming Practices and Technologies Used

Indian jute farming traditionally involves manual sowing between March and May and harvesting after 100 to 120 days. After harvesting, jute stalks undergo retting, a microbial process done in still or slow-moving water, which takes 10 to 15 days. This step is crucial for fiber quality but often compromised due to water shortages or poor retting techniques.

To address this, the government introduced Jute-ICARE (Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise), promoting:

• Certified high-yielding seeds

• Microbial retting solutions

• Soil testing and line sowing techniques

The adoption of these technologies has helped increase yield by up to 15 to 20% and improve fiber grades.

India produced about 1.24 million metric tonnes of raw jute in FY 2022–23. Approximately 85 to 90% of this is consumed domestically, driven largely by the Jute Packaging Materials Act, which mandates the compulsory use of jute for 100% of food grain packaging and 20% of sugar packaging. This legislation alone ensures a strong base demand for jute within India.

India exported nearly 14% of its raw jute production, amounting to around 177,270 metric tonnes. The total value of jute goods exports stood at approximately USD 471.8 million, with diversified jute products accounting for USD 160.4 million. Major export items include:

• Jute yarn and twine

• Hessian and sacking fabrics

• Shopping bags and floor coverings

A significant portion of this export growth is attributed to the rise of jute bag manufacturers in India, particularly in states like West Bengal and Assam. These manufacturers are tapping into the global demand for reusable, biodegradable alternatives to plastic bags. They produce a wide range of bags, from plain grocery totes to custom-designed, high-end fashion accessories, catering to eco-conscious markets abroad.

Top export destinations for Indian jute goods include the USA, UK, Germany, France, Australia, Japan, and Egypt, with sustained interest from both wholesale buyers and sustainable fashion brands.

Government Support Schemes

The Indian government supports the jute sector through multiple schemes:

• Minimum Support Price (MSP): Fixed at ₹4,750 per quintal in 2022–23, ensuring farmers receive fair returns.

• Jute-ICARE: Helps over 2.5 lakh farmers with sustainable practices and retting improvements.

• National Jute Development Program (NJDP): Provides capital subsidies for mill modernization.

• Export Promotion Schemes: Includes Market Development Assistance and financial support for participation in trade fairs.

• e-Governance (Jute SMART): Streamlines procurement and mill operations.

Challenges in the Indian Jute Industry

Despite its dominance, the Indian jute industry faces several issues:

• Dependence on outdated machinery leads to low productivity in many mills.

• Procurement inefficiencies often reduce the impact of MSP, especially due to middlemen.

• Labor shortages caused by rural-to-urban migration impact harvesting and retting.

• Climatic challenges like floods and cyclones affect both yield and quality.

• Competition from synthetic substitutes still impacts demand for conventional jute sacks.

India remains the global leader in jute cultivation due to its climatic advantage, historical expertise, and strong policy backing. However, modernization, labor management, and climate adaptation remain critical for the sector’s future.

The Bangladesh Scenario –

 

Importance in Bangladesh’s Economy

Bangladesh ranks as the second-largest jute producer globally, responsible for about 30–35% of worldwide output. Annual production has hovered around 1.1–1.6 million tonnes, with domestic processing consuming over 1.16 million tonnes and earning approximately 3% of the nation’s export revenue and GDP.

The jute industry supports 10% of the workforce, spanning farming, processing, milling, and diversified product manufacturing. More than 220 private mills and roughly 25 state-owned mills contribute to local processing, along with around 700 diversified jute product manufacturers employing about 50,000 to 100,000 people.

Major Jute-Growing Areas: Khulna, Jessore, Faridpur

Key growing regions include Khulna, Jessore, and Faridpur.

• Khulna Division, especially areas like Daulatpur, Paikgasa, Dumuria, Tala, and Mollahat, forms the heart of Bangladesh’s jute belt.
  In the 2023–24 fiscal year, 834,674 bales of raw jute were exported from Khulna markets alone.

• Districts such as Faridpur, Jessore, and Gopalganj also contribute significantly to production.

Traditional vs Modern Practices

Bangladesh combines age-old cultivation and retting methods with evolving modern techniques. Traditional water body retting remains widespread due to the abundance of over 200 rivers, enabling natural fiber extraction.

Recent advancements include:

• Genome sequencing of jute (2010) to improve quality.

• Use of high-yield varieties, such as BJRI-9, offering up to 80 maunds per hectare compared to 65 from older types.

• Expansion of mechanized retting tanks developed by the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute and supported by the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre.

• However, many mills still rely on outdated equipment, leading to process inefficiencies .

Jute Mills & Value‑Added Products

Bangladesh supports around 220 to 245 private mills, plus roughly 25 public mills under privatization. The Bangladesh Jute Diversification Promotion Centre has introduced 282 diversified jute product categories, including home décor, automotive materials, and biodegradable composites.

Value-added product segments include:

• Jute yarn and twine, hessian and sacking fabrics, shopping bags, carpets, geo‑textiles, automobile parts, jute charcoal sticks, and interior materials (e.g., dashboards).

• Local innovators like the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute and BJMC have pioneered products like Sonali biodegradable jute bags and jute‑plastic composites, mixing up to 30% jute with plastic.

Export Destinations

Bangladeshi jute and jute goods reach over 100 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Germany, India, Pakistan, UK, USA, UAE, Vietnam, and Russia.

In fiscal year 2022–23:

• Total export receipts reached USD 912 million, with USD 500 million derived from yarn and twine.

• Jute sacks and bags earned USD 109 million, while raw jute exports fetched USD 204 million.

• Despite overall export declines—down 6% to USD 925 million in FY 2023–24—interest in jute escalates globally due to plastic bans and environmental policies.

Bangladesh’s jute sector displays robust strengths—natural endowments, skilled labor, research capabilities, and policy incentives. Still, it faces obstacles such as outdated mill machinery, export incentive delays, and competition from synthetic fibers. Continued modernization, diversification, and global market expansion will be essential for sustaining its global lead.

Other Countries

 

Beyond India and Bangladesh, several countries play smaller yet strategic roles in jute cultivation. Nepal produces around 10,000 tonnes annually, with over 70% of raw jute imported and nearly 95% of processed goods exported to India, though declining acreage and irrigation issues hinder its growth.

China, while not a major cultivator (around 30,750 tonnes in 2022), is a significant importer and processor, with thousands of active jute importers and rising demand in industrial packaging and eco-textiles.

Thailand’s production has dropped to around 26 tonnes annually, mainly serving local craft industries, while Myanmar sustains modest jute activity through state-backed mills like Okkyin, focusing on domestic consumption with emerging export interest.

In Africa, countries like Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda are running pilot jute programs, with climate conditions suitable but constrained by inadequate retting facilities and poor logistics infrastructure.

Latin America, particularly Brazil, maintains around 17,000 hectares of jute under cultivation near the Amazon basin, with yields of about 1.6 tonnes per hectare, mostly serving local packaging needs. Across these regions, limited infrastructure, low investment, and lack of organized export chains restrict global competitiveness, though sustainability trends and policy shifts present future growth opportunities.

 

Future Of Jute and Its People: Modern Machinery, Future Fashion Trends, Eco-Friendly Awareness

 

The future of jute and its cultivators hinges on a blend of modernization, sustainability, and global demand shifts. As eco-consciousness rises worldwide, jute is gaining recognition as a biodegradable, renewable alternative to plastics and synthetic fibers. This demand, however, must be matched with support at the grassroots, where most jute farmers still rely on age-old manual techniques.

Investment in modern retting technologies, improved seed varieties, and decentralized processing units could increase both quality and farmer incomes. Simultaneously, the global fashion and packaging industries are beginning to embrace jute for its rustic aesthetics and environmental appeal, leading to innovative products such as jute sneakers, handbags, and geotextiles.

Countries willing to modernize jute supply chains while ensuring fair pricing, training, and credit support to their cultivators will likely emerge as leaders in this sustainable fiber economy. The true future of jute will not only be written in export graphs but also in the lives of the millions who grow, process, and depend on it. If nurtured right, jute can become a flagship material in the next era of ethical fashion, circular economies, and climate-resilient agriculture.

 

Our Verdict

Jute stands at a unique crossroads, rooted in tradition yet full of potential for the future. As the world shifts toward sustainable choices, jute offers more than just a fiber; it represents a livelihood for millions, a solution to plastic pollution, and a bridge between rural economies and global green markets. For countries that invest in education, innovation, and equitable supply chains, jute can become a symbol of both economic resilience and environmental responsibility. This transformation is already visible through the rise of jute bag manufacturers, who are meeting global demand for eco-friendly alternatives while supporting local artisans and farmers.

The path ahead requires collaboration among farmers, governments, industries, manufacturers, and consumers. If embraced fully, the humble jute plant could lead a global movement toward a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future.