The Bangladesh’s jute industries, specially the private sector jute mills, are passing through a crucial juncture mainly due to frequent blockade and political instability which are seriously affecting productions in mills and factories. But now also the 9 state-run jute mills of Khulna region has also stopped export of produced jute goods leading to build up stocks in the warehouses of the mills as the mills have failed to make any shipment due to the frequent and non- stop strike and blockade programmes.

According to Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) regional office source, around 41,021 metric tonnes produced jute goods has been laying unsold in 9 jute mills of Khulna region till Februay-5.

The normal export has fallen during the last 3 months due to political unrest. As a result the produced jute goods of about 41,021 metric tonnes worth Tk 3.84 billion has been laying unsold in different warehouses of the mills.

The mills are facing severe financial crisis as the produced jute goods are not exported. Officials said that they could not purchase raw materials due to financial crisis. The officials also anticipate that the production would be suspended within 15/20 days if the finance is not arranged. Moreover, some jute mills are not able to pay the wages of their workers and one shift is to be shut down to reduce production.

Export of jute and jute goods witnessed a negative growth during the first four months (July-October period) in current fiscal. Raw jute fetched only $ 29.69 million in the first four months as against $ 77.13 million during the same period in last fiscal showing a major decline of 61.62 per cent.