Bangladeshi textile mills will soon be able to purchase US cotton locally, as AmeriBangla Corporation is set to launch the country’s first privately operated US cotton warehouse in Anwara, Chattogram, on 18 November.
The facility is expected to reduce cotton import lead times significantly, allowing mills to access US cotton from local stock instead of waiting nearly 90 days for individual shipments. Around 100 tonnes of cotton have already been shipped from the United States for the initial inventory.
AmeriBangla CEO Aswar Rahman said the warehouse will source cotton directly from US farmers and ginners, with the aim of offering competitive prices and reducing dependence on intermediaries. The company plans to expand inventory based on market demand.
Bangladesh imported about $346 million worth of US cotton in FY25, up from $278 million in FY24, according to Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) data. Industry representatives expect the new facility to improve supply flexibility, particularly for spinning mills and smaller-capital businesses.
The initiative could also gain importance amid discussions over potential US trade benefits for garments made with American cotton. Industry bodies are awaiting further clarification on the implementation of related tariff concessions.
