Bangladesh’s Top 10 Imports

As decision-makers, we should know about our top 10 imports for a deep analysis of our business trends and find a way to contribute to reducing imports. On the other hand, it can help us generate a business idea to serve the country for the sake of the people.

Below, we can see that we're far behind with imports at $75.4 billion and exports at $44.5 billion in July-May (2021-222), where the gap is $-30.9 billion.

In July-May, 2020-21, imports: $54.2 billion, while exports: $33.5 billion and Trade Gap: $-20.7 billion.

In July-May, 2021-22, imports: $75.4 billion, while exports: $44.5 billion and Trade Gap: $-30.9 billion.

Bangladesh’s Top 10 Imports

The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Bangladesh’s import purchases during 2021. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Bangladesh.

1. Cotton: US$8.4 billion (12.1% of total imports)
2. Mineral fuels, including oil: $6.8 billion (9.8%)
3. Machinery including computers: $6.5 billion (9.4%)
4. Electrical machinery, and equipment: $4.5 billion (6.4%)
5. Iron, steel: $3.8 billion (5.5%)
6. Cereals: $3.4 billion (4.8%)
7. Plastics, plastic articles: $3.1 billion (4.5%)
8. Animal/vegetable fats, oils, waxes: $2.4 billion (3.5%)
9. Knit or crochet fabric: $2.11 billion (3%)
10. Vehicles: $1.95 billion (2.8%)

Bangladesh’s top 10 imports account for more than three-fifths (61.8%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.

Bangladesh’s Imports of Cotton and Related Products

In 2021, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of cotton and related products.

1. Cotton (uncarded, uncombed): US$2.8 billion (up 45.5% from 2020)
2. Yarn (85%+ cotton): $2.2 billion (up 142.7%)
3. Woven fabrics (85%+ cotton): $1.3 billion (up 34.5%)
4. Woven fabrics (mixed): $948.8 million (up 37%)
5. Woven cotton fabrics: $710.2 million (up 15.4%)
6. Yarn (under 85% cotton): $251.2 million (up 194.5%)
7. Woven fabrics (under 85% cotton): $207.2 million (up 34.5%)
8. Other woven fabrics: $48.4 million (up 52.9%)
9. Cotton waste: $12.5 million (up 11.1%)
10. Cotton (carded, combed): $3.9 million (down -76.9%)

Bangladesh’s Imports of Machinery, Including Computers

In 2021, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines, including computers.

1. Liquid pumps and elevators: US$403.1 million (up 50.6% from 2020)
2. Steam/vapor turbines: $348.9 million (up 651.8%)
3. Temperature-change machines: $329.2 million (up 5.2%)
4. Computers, optical readers: $322.6 million (up 39%)
5. Yarn wash/clean/iron machines: $275.6 million (up 59.7%)
6. Air or vacuum pumps: $266.5 million (up 51%)
7. Sewing machines, and related furniture: $263.1 million (up 78.4%)
8. Miscellaneous machinery: $234.7 million (up 34.9%)
9. Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $227 million (up 51.2%)
10. Taps, valves, similar appliances: $218.2 million (up 50.1%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of steam and vapor turbines (up 651.8%), sewing machines and related furniture (up 78.4%) then yarn washing, cleaning or ironing machines (up 59.7%) grew at the fastest pace from 2020 to 2021.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.

Sewing machines and related furniture are at level 7. That means new investment in the apparel industry is not being observed as much as expected.