Exporting Jute Products to Brazil
Md. Joynal Abdin
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
Editor, T&IB Business Directory; Executive Director, Online Training Academy (OTA)
Secretary General, Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
Bangladesh’s jute sector is standing at an important intersection: global buyers are actively looking for natural, biodegradable, and plastic-substitute materials, while Brazil one of the world’s largest agricultural and commodity economies needs reliable, standards-compliant packaging and industrial fibres for coffee, cocoa, grains, sugar, horticulture, and logistics. Recent trade data indicates that Brazil continues to import jute and related bast-fibre materials, and Bangladesh is already a leading origin in Brazil’s import basket for these fibres. For example, Brazil’s imports of “jute and other textile bast fibres” reached about US$4.21 million in 2025, with Bangladesh as the main origin (about US$3.88 million).
On the Bangladesh side, sector reporting based on Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) figures shows jute and jute goods exports moving with global demand cycles, with recent periods showing both pressure and recovery signals useful context for exporters planning Brazil market expansion. The message for Bangladeshi exporters is clear: Brazil is not only a “possible” market Brazil is a practical market where disciplined product selection, compliance, and local partnering can convert interest into repeat shipments.
Top 10 jute products Brazil imports
Brazil’s jute demand is driven less by “fashion jute” and more by industrial, agricultural, and logistics applications where consistent quality and delivery reliability matter as much as price.
1) Raw jute and other textile bast fibres (HS 5303 family):
Brazil imports bast fibres to feed downstream manufacturing and industrial needs, including specialty fibres and blends used in textiles, composites, and industrial applications. The advantage for Bangladesh is strategic: Brazil’s import data for this product group shows Bangladesh as the dominant origin in recent trade patterns, which means the market already recognizes Bangladesh as a credible source your job becomes improving specification-fit, continuity, and buyer confidence rather than “introducing” Bangladesh from zero.
2) Jute yarn (HS 5307 family):
Jute yarn is a backbone input for making hessian, sacking, webbing, and other industrial fabrics. Brazil’s jute yarn imports reflect ongoing downstream conversion needs (including packaging-related and industrial textile segments). Even when volumes fluctuate, buyers who run looms and conversion lines prefer suppliers that can maintain uniform yarn count, twist, oiling, and tensile performance.
3) Multiple/cabled jute yarn (HS 530720):
Cabled yarn is particularly relevant for heavier-duty applications, stitching, and rope-like uses, where strength and reduced breakage are essential. In one recent year of available partner breakdown, Brazil’s imports of multiple/cabled jute yarn show Bangladesh as the leading supplier by value and quantity, supporting the case that Bangladeshi mills can compete when specs and shipment discipline are strong.
4) Unbleached jute woven fabric (Hessian/Burlap) (HS 531010):
Hessian remains a practical industrial fabric used in packaging, agricultural covers, craft/industrial applications, and as a base material in manufacturing. Brazil has imported unbleached woven jute fabrics with Bangladesh among the key origins in the partner split visible in WITS/Comtrade-based views, which is a strong signal for Bangladeshi exporters to deepen relationships with converters and packaging users.
5) Other jute woven fabrics (bleached, dyed, or finished) (HS 5310/5311 related):
Beyond classic hessian, Brazil’s market includes finished or treated woven jute fabrics used where appearance, cleanliness, odour control, or special performance (e.g., reduced dust, better printability, or improved moisture behaviour) matters. This is where Bangladesh can move up the value ladder by offering consistent finishing, controlled GSM, and dependable colour/print results.
6) Sacks and bags of jute for packing goods (HS 630510):
This is one of the most commercially “direct” jute items: jute sacks and bags used for commodity packing and transport. Brazil’s recorded imports under HS 630510 show it sources from multiple origins, including Asian and European suppliers, which means Bangladeshi exporters must win on specification + compliance + reliability, not only on price.
7) Jute bags for coffee/cocoa and other agro-commodities (HS 630510, specialized specs):
Brazil is globally famous for coffee, and jute bags are a standard packaging format for green coffee and cocoa in many trade channels. For Bangladeshi exporters, the winning formula is food-grade suitability (where required), consistent stitching, accurate size tolerance, controlled moisture regain, proper bale packing, and clear markings that match importer instructions. Even small deviations can cause rejection because bags directly affect handling and storage quality. (Brazil’s import reporting for HS 630510 helps validate that this category exists and is traded.)
8) Twine, cordage, ropes and cables of jute/bast fibres (HS 560710 family):
This category supports agriculture, logistics, packaging tie-down, and industrial uses. While the broader rope/twine market is large, jute/bast-fibre variants occupy a natural-fibre niche demanded by buyers seeking biodegradable alternatives. For Bangladeshi exporters, product consistency (diameter tolerance, breaking strength, knot strength, and coating requirements if any) is what turns samples into repeat orders.
9) Jute-based floor coverings and decor items (selected HS lines, including hand-woven jute carpets in common practice):
Brazil’s consumer and hospitality segments increasingly use natural-look interiors. Jute floor coverings and handmade jute decor lines serve premium, eco-positioned retail and boutique buyers. Success depends on design consistency, colour fastness (if dyed), odour control, and packaging that prevents mould during humid transit.
10) Diversified jute goods (made-ups and technical uses such as geotextile-style applications):
Brazil’s construction, landscaping, erosion control, and agriculture can use natural-fibre solutions where biodegradability is an advantage. Diversified jute goods require stronger technical communication spec sheets, performance testing, and clear installation/use guidance because buyers compare you with synthetics on performance, not only sustainability.
Where does Brazil import jute products from?
Brazil’s sourcing varies by product type, but the most important strategic takeaway for Bangladesh is this: Bangladesh is already Brazil’s leading origin for “jute and other textile bast fibres” by value in 2025, far ahead of other suppliers shown in that product group’s origin list. For specific processed items, sourcing can diversify. For example, Brazil’s imports of jute sacks and bags (HS 630510) in 2023 show imports from China, Italy, and India among listed top origins in that dataset view. And for unbleached woven jute fabric (HS 531010), available partner breakdown shows Bangladesh and India as key suppliers in a referenced year.
This mixed pattern is good news: it means Brazil is an open, competitive market. It also means Bangladeshi exporters must position Bangladesh not only as “the natural home of jute,” but as the most dependable solution for Brazilian importers.
Bangladesh’s competitiveness for exporting jute products to Brazil
Bangladesh’s competitive strength is not only raw material heritage it is the depth of the ecosystem: spinning, weaving, finishing, printing, bag-making, and diversified jute innovation. Brazil is a long-haul, relationship-driven market where importers prefer suppliers who reduce risk. Bangladesh can win by focusing on the risk factors Brazilian buyers care about:
Quality and consistency are decisive. A Brazilian importer may accept a small price premium if your yarn count is consistent, fabric GSM is stable, bag stitching is uniform, and shipments arrive as promised. Bangladesh can leverage its specialization in jute processing and its existing recognition as a major source of bast fibres in Brazil’s import mix.
Sustainability positioning is a commercial tool, not just a slogan. Brazil has strong agriculture and growing sustainability narratives. Jute’s biodegradability and renewability help your product compete against synthetics, but only if you present it professionally traceability statements, responsible sourcing claims that you can support, and packaging/handling that keeps goods clean and mould-free during ocean transit.
Product-market fit matters more than “jute in general.” Coffee/cocoa bag specs, for example, can be very strict. When exporters tailor loom settings, oiling, stitching, bale compression, and markings exactly to importer requirements, Brazil becomes a repeat-order market rather than a one-time shipment destination.
Step-by-step guide to export jute products to Brazil
Exporting to Brazil is straightforward when you treat it as a controlled process. The key is to align three things from the beginning: HS classification and product spec, Brazilian importer readiness, and documentation discipline.
Begin with product selection and HS code discipline. Your HS code influences duties, licensing, and buyer expectations. For jute sacks and bags, Brazil’s trade reporting commonly tracks under HS 630510, and for jute fabrics under HS 531010 (unbleached). Start by fixing a precise product description: fibre type, construction (plain/twill), GSM, size, stitching type, oil treatment (if any), printing, and packing method.
Next, validate demand through the right Brazilian buyer segment. Brazil’s jute demand often sits with commodity exporters, coffee/cocoa traders, agricultural supply chains, packaging converters, and industrial textile users. Do not rely on generic “importer lists.” Instead, craft a buyer profile that matches your product: coffee bag importers want different specs than construction or décor buyers.
Then, secure a Brazilian importer who is operationally ready. Brazil’s import system requires the importer to be registered and to process imports through the country’s official foreign trade systems. Practical guidance from the U.S. government’s Brazil commercial guide highlights that Brazilian importers register via SECEX/MDIC systems and use Siscomex, and that additional documents may be required depending on product type and regulator involvement. If your buyer is new, insist that they confirm their ability to import your HS code before you ship.
After that, agree on Incoterms and pricing that reflect Brazil’s tax reality. Brazil’s import cost structure can include multiple taxes and fees layered on top of CIF. The Brazil country commercial guide notes how IPI is calculated on CIF plus import duty, which matters when the buyer estimates landed cost and negotiates price. You do not need to be the tax expert, but you should understand why Brazilian buyers negotiate hard on invoice structure, freight, and insurance.
Then, lock the technical specification and compliance requirements in writing. For jute goods, practical compliance usually focuses on product description accuracy, labelling/marking, packaging integrity, and (where relevant) hygiene/odour/moisture controls. Write a proforma invoice and a technical datasheet that match exactly. If your product is for food/commodity contact use (like coffee bags), the buyer may ask for specific treatment or declarations; handle that at the sample stage.
Next, produce a “Brazil-ready” document set. Typical documents include a signed commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (if requested), insurance certificate (if CIF/CIP), and any test reports or declarations the buyer needs. Brazil’s import procedures rely heavily on correct declarations and documentation; guides to Brazil importation emphasize that the import declaration (DI/related processes) is central to clearance and depends on correct supporting documents.
After documentation, manage pre-shipment quality control like a system, not a quick check. For jute sacks and fabrics, inspect GSM, width, weave defects, stitching consistency, bale compression, moisture level, and odour. Use lot-based inspection records and keep sample retainers. Brazilian buyers value exporters who can prove consistency.
Then, ship with packaging designed for humid ocean transit. Brazil’s ports and inland distribution can expose cargo to humidity. Use strong outer packing, moisture protection where appropriate, and container loading practices that reduce condensation risk. A single mould incident can destroy your chance of repeat orders.
Finally, support the Brazilian importer through clearance and post-arrival feedback. Even when you do everything right, the buyer may face questions from customs or need clarification on packing or product description. Answer fast, provide supporting documents quickly, and treat the first shipment as the foundation of a multi-year relationship.
Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
For jute exporters, Brazil is not a “one email and one order” market. It is a relationship market that rewards consistent engagement, credibility, and local connections. This is exactly where a chamber-to-chamber and business-network platform becomes commercially useful. BBCCI can serve as a bridge that strengthens trust, supports introductions, and helps Bangladeshi exporters communicate professionally with Brazilian counterparts especially when distance, language, and compliance concerns slow down deal-making.
Why you should become a member of BBCCI?
Membership is not only a badge; it is leverage. When you approach Brazilian buyers, being connected to an active bilateral chamber helps you signal seriousness, long-term intent, and a willingness to work within professional networks. Membership also makes it easier to participate in delegations, B2B matchmaking, and sector dialogues that keep you informed about market behaviour and buyer expectations. For jute exporters, this matters because Brazil’s demand is strongly linked to agricultural cycles and commodity logistics meaning relationships and timing often decide who wins orders.
Closing remarks
Brazil can become a growth market for Bangladeshi jute exporters who move beyond generic outreach and build a disciplined export system: choose the right jute product lines, match them to Brazil’s real use-cases, prove consistency through documentation and QC, and partner with importers who are operationally ready. Bangladesh already has a strong position as an origin for bast-fibre imports into Brazil, which gives you a base to expand into higher-value yarns, fabrics, sacks, and diversified jute goods. If you treat your first Brazil shipment as the start of a long relationship backed by professional networks like BBCCI, clear specifications, and reliable delivery your jute products can move from “sample interest” to “repeat contracts,” strengthening both your company and Bangladesh’s jute brand in Latin America.