Textiles and jute minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday told Jatiya Sangsad that Bangladesh’s jute products were facing increasing pressure in the global market due to the growing use of low-cost synthetic fibres.

He added that the country remained behind in producing high-value diversified jute goods and exploring new export markets.

The minister made the remarks in a written reply and during supplementary questions during the seventh sitting of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad’s second session.

Replying to a supplementary question from BNP lawmaker Selina Sultana the minister said that a large share of Bangladesh’s jute product exports remains concentrated in traditional items such as twine, sacks and hessian, while the production and export of high-value diversified jute products are still inadequate.

In response to a question from BNP lawmaker Shirin Sultana, the minister also said that the government had launched an initiative to distribute free school bags made of jute among primary school students as part of efforts to promote jute use.

To curb environmental pollution and boost domestic demand for jute products, the government enacted the Mandatory Use of Jute Packaging in Products Act, 2010, he said.

According to the minister, 93 mobile courts conducted across the country in May this year imposed fines totalling Tk 6.27 lakh for violations of the law.

During the 2025–26 financial year, 869 mobile courts imposed fines amounting to Tk 57.64 lakh.

The minister identified volatility in raw jute prices, rising production costs and anti-dumping duties imposed in international markets as major challenges facing the sector.

He also acknowledged that Bangladesh remained behind in branding jute products and exploring new markets.