Business

Home Textiles Orders Flood Bangladesh

At least eight companies from Europe and the US, who used to buy home textiles from Pakistan and China, have started doing business with Bangladeshi exporters in the last six months. The buyers said they do not get products as per their demand and specifications from Pakistan and China. Bangladeshi exporters have attracted them with quality products at a competing price and on-time delivery. The use of home textiles has seen an increase across the world during the pandemic. According to Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA), the eight new buyers that have started business with Bangladesh in the last six months include the well-known Standard Textile in the United States, among others. Most factories in Bangladesh export medium and general quality home textile items. However, some companies export relatively high-priced home textile items. Towels account for 40% of Bangladesh's total exports and bedding around 50%. Bedding includes bed sheets, pillows and cushion covers. The type of home textiles that Bangladesh exports, including towels, is made mainly of ten counts and 16 counts yarns. The share of Bangladesh in this sector in the world market is still about only one per cent. The country's home textile sector is beset with rising raw material and fuel prices. Around 75% of the cost of towels goes to yarn purchasing. As a result, many producers are incurring losses. The home textile sector is faced with rising prices of raw materials and fuel that are hurting the industry. Continuously increasing yarn prices are bane as most buyers are not willing to share the extra cost and most producers are being forced to take orders at lower prices, informed industry sources.