We are concerned that jute mill owners are facing serious difficulties to keep their mills running because of non-availability of raw jute during this peak season. An organised syndicate comprising traders and hoarders continues hoarding raw jute in order to create an artificial crisis in the local market and control the supply of the fibre as well.
This unholy nexus of middlemen and stockists are also hiking prices and reducing supplies. As a result, production in 259 jute mills and jute spinning mills in the country is being affected badly due to crisis of raw jute while the stock of unsold jute products is increasing. It is feared that the raw jute crisis may lead to the closure of some jute mills.
The country’s jute production witnessed nearly a hundred percent increase since the independence. And now the country produces 84-90 lakh bales of raw jute every year of which some 55-60 lakh bales are used in the existing 259 jute mills and jute spinning mills to process and make yarn, twine, bags, sacks and other goods mainly for export. Some 10-15 lakh bales of raw jute are used for household purposes while seven to 10 lakh bales of raw jute are exported annually.
The government should show zero tolerance
against the traders and hoarders found illegally
hoarding raw jute
On the other hand, the jute harvesting is progressing fast across the country. The newly harvested jute is being sold at Taka 3,000 to 3,500 per maund on an average in local markets at present.
It is worth mentioning that when farmers are humming towards the jute farming as they are getting lucrative prices for its produce, country’s jute millers are not getting raw jute. Earlier, the government set the restrictions to ensure smooth supply of raw jute in the local market and speed up export, issuing instruction that no dealer or wholesaler can store over 1,000 maunds for more than a month in order to increase supply.
But a section of traders and hoarders are hoarding raw jute under the very nose of authorities concerned. Therefore, the government should launch an anti-hoarding drive to flash out raw jute stocks illegally and show zero tolerance against the traders and hoarders found illegally hoarding raw jute in hidden godowns. Besides, steps will also have to be taken against unlicensed traders involved in selling, purchasing or storing of raw jute.
