A Complete Guide for Exporters
Md. Joynal Abdin
Business Consultant | Entrepreneur | International Trade Specialist
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
Secretary General, Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
Bangladesh is internationally identified with jute the country’s historic “Golden Fibre.” For decades, raw jute, jute yarn, hessian, sacking and other jute products have connected Bangladesh with industrial buyers around the world. Today, the emergence of sustainable packaging, biodegradable materials, circular-economy policies and corporate environmental commitments is creating a new commercial context for this traditional industry. Brazil represents a particularly interesting market. As one of the world’s major agricultural, food-processing, coffee, grain and commodity economies, Brazil requires enormous volumes of packaging, transportation, storage and industrial materials. At the same time, businesses are increasingly exploring environmentally responsible alternatives to conventional plastic-based products.
Bangladesh has the supply-side capability to respond. According to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest producer of jute and a leading exporter of jute and jute-based products, with average annual jute exports historically around US$1 billion. BIDA identifies approximately 1.16 million tonnes of average annual production and highlights Bangladesh’s particularly high-quality Tossa jute. More recent Export Promotion Bureau information shows that Bangladesh earned more than US$820 million from jute and jute products during FY2024–25.
For Bangladeshi manufacturers and exporters, therefore, the question should no longer simply be: “Can Bangladesh export jute products to Brazil?” The more commercially useful question is:
“Which jute products should we sell to Brazil, who will buy them, how should we enter the market, and how can we develop sustainable repeat business?” This guide answers those questions step by step.
1. Understanding Bangladesh’s Jute Export Industry
Bangladesh possesses several natural and industrial advantages in jute production: fertile deltaic soil, favourable climatic conditions, generations of farming knowledge, established spinning and weaving capabilities, comparatively competitive production costs and an existing export ecosystem. BIDA describes Bangladesh as a top exporter of jute products globally and notes that Tossa jute grown in Bangladesh is considered particularly high quality.
However, the industry’s export composition is important for anyone considering Brazil. According to Export Promotion Bureau figures reported for FY2024–25, Bangladesh’s total exports of jute and jute goods stood at approximately US$820.16 million, compared with US$855.23 million in FY2023–24. Within FY2024–25:
- Raw jute exports were approximately US$148.48 million;
- Jute yarn and twine exports reached about US$461.83 million;
- Jute bags and sacks generated approximately US$125.96 million;
- Exports of jute bags and sacks increased by about 18.51% year-on-year.
These figures contain an important lesson for prospective exporters. Bangladesh should not depend exclusively on raw jute and basic yarn. Greater opportunity increasingly lies in converting the fibre into products that solve specific industrial, packaging, agricultural, environmental and consumer-market problems. Brazil provides opportunities for both traditional and diversified products.
2. Why Brazil Is a Promising Market for Bangladeshi Jute
Brazil is an attractive destination because its economic structure naturally creates demand for packaging and natural-fibre products. The country is a major producer and exporter of coffee, soybean, maize, sugar, meat and other agricultural commodities. These sectors create downstream opportunities for sacks, wrapping materials, natural-fibre packaging, agricultural fabrics, geotextiles and other industrial applications.
Trade data cited by the Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry indicate that Brazil’s imports of jute and other textile bast fibres reached approximately US$4.21 million in 2025, of which approximately US$3.88 million originated from Bangladesh. This indicates that Bangladesh is not approaching Brazil as an entirely unexplored supplier; a trade relationship already exists and can potentially be expanded into higher-value products.
The strategic opportunity is therefore two-dimensional. First, Bangladeshi exporters can strengthen existing industrial exports such as raw jute, yarn, hessian and sacks. Second and potentially more importantly they can introduce diversified jute products into Brazilian packaging, retail, agriculture, construction, interior-decoration and promotional-product markets.
3. Most Promising Jute Products for Export to Brazil
Exporters should avoid approaching Brazil with the vague proposition that they “sell jute.” Brazilian buyers normally purchase a product for a defined commercial application.
Raw Jute – HS 5303
Raw or retted jute and related bast fibres fall principally within the HS 5303 family. Bangladesh Customs identifies HS 530310 for raw or retted jute and other textile bast fibres and HS 530390 for other processed forms, tow and waste. Potential customers include fibre processors, textile manufacturers, composite-material manufacturers and industrial users.
Jute Yarn and Twine – HS 5307
Jute yarn is one of Bangladesh’s strongest export categories. Relevant classifications include HS 530710 for single yarn and HS 530720 for multiple or cabled yarn. Brazilian importers may use jute yarn for carpets, handicrafts, decoration, agricultural applications, packaging and industrial processing.
Jute Fabrics – HS 5310
Unbleached woven jute fabric generally falls under HS 531010, while other woven fabrics of jute or related bast fibres fall under HS 531090. These products can be supplied for packaging, furnishing, landscaping, industrial conversion, handicrafts and decoration.
Jute Sacks and Bags – HS 630510
HS 630510 covers sacks and bags used for packing goods made from jute or other textile bast fibres. This category deserves special attention because Brazil’s enormous agricultural economy creates potential applications in coffee, cocoa and other commodity packaging. Exporters should develop products according to Brazilian buyer specifications rather than simply offering standard Bangladeshi sacks.
Specifications can include:
GSM, dimensions, weave density, carrying capacity, stitching, hem construction, moisture content, oil content, printing, colour, bale packing and food-contact requirements where relevant.
Shopping and Promotional Jute Bags
Brazil’s retail, exhibition, corporate-gifting and environmentally conscious consumer markets offer another opportunity. Possible products include reusable shopping bags, promotional bags, wine bags, grocery bags, conference bags, tote bags and customized corporate bags. These products can generate substantially more value per kilogram of jute than raw fibre.
Jute Geotextiles
Brazil’s large geography, agriculture and infrastructure sectors make jute geotextiles an interesting longer-term market. Potential applications include erosion control, road construction, slope stabilization, landscaping, riverbank protection, vegetation establishment and soil management. BIDA specifically identifies geotextiles as one of the value-added jute product categories offering investment and export potential.
Home Décor and Lifestyle Products
Bangladeshi producers can additionally target Brazilian importers of: jute rugs, carpets, floor mats, baskets, table mats, runners, storage baskets, plant holders, wall decoration and handmade lifestyle products. BIDA also highlights rugs, mats, carpets, floor coverings, footwear, furniture and other diversified jute applications as growth opportunities.
Step 1: Conduct Product-Specific Market Research
Exporting successfully begins before production. A prospective exporter should identify exactly where the product will fit in Brazil’s value chain.
Research questions should include:
Who currently imports the product?
Which countries supply Brazil?
What specifications are commonly purchased?
What is the prevailing import price?
Are Brazilian manufacturers competing locally?
What quantities do importers normally order?
Which ports are commonly used?
What import taxes apply?
Does the product require any special Brazilian approval?
Can Bangladesh compete after freight and import duties?
A common mistake among new exporters is researching “Brazil’s jute market” generally. Instead, research should be conducted at the HS/NCM-code and buyer-industry level. For example, a producer of coffee sacks should research Brazilian coffee exporters, coffee cooperatives, coffee-packaging distributors and sack importers not merely search for “jute buyers in Brazil.”
Step 2: Select the Correct HS and Brazilian NCM Classification
Correct tariff classification is essential. The Harmonized System provides the international six-digit foundation, while Brazil uses the NCM (Nomenclatura Comum do Mercosul) for tariff classification.
Common jute-related headings include:
| Product | Common HS Heading |
| Raw jute | 5303 |
| Jute yarn | 5307 |
| Woven jute fabric | 5310 |
| Jute sacks/bags for packing goods | 630510 |
| Diversified products | Classification varies |
Bangladesh Customs confirms these classifications in its tariff schedule. Do not assume that every bag manufactured from jute belongs to HS 630510. That heading specifically concerns sacks and bags of a kind used for packing goods. Fashion bags, household products, carpets, handicrafts and composite products may fall under entirely different headings.
Before quoting, the exporter should ask the Brazilian importer or customs broker to confirm the applicable NCM code. This affects import duty, taxes, administrative treatment and licensing requirements.
Step 3: Understand Brazilian Import Regulations
Brazil operates a sophisticated customs and import-control system. Foreign-trade transactions are administered through Siscomex, the government’s integrated foreign-trade system. Siscomex connects registration, monitoring and control of import and export operations and enables government agencies, importers and exporters to exchange regulatory information.
Depending on the product’s NCM classification, imports may be:
- exempt from licensing;
- subject to automatic licensing; or
- subject to non-automatic licensing or another administrative control.
The Brazilian importer should verify the product’s applicable Tratamento Administrativo before shipment. Brazil’s official guidance specifically advises using the product’s NCM classification to determine whether import licensing or approval from an intervening agency is required. For raw plant-origin materials, exporters should pay particular attention to possible agricultural and phytosanitary requirements.
Do not ship first and investigate later. The Brazilian buyer/importer should confirm regulatory treatment before the exporter books the shipment.
Step 4: Establish Export Readiness in Bangladesh
A Bangladeshi company planning regular exports should establish the necessary legal and banking framework. Depending on the company’s structure and product, this normally involves appropriate:
- business registration/trade licence;
- Tax Identification Number;
- VAT/BIN registration where applicable;
- Export Registration Certificate (ERC);
- authorized dealer bank relationship;
- membership or documentation required by relevant trade organizations;
- export-related customs and shipping documentation.
Manufacturers should additionally maintain proper factory licences, environmental and labour compliance documentation applicable to their operation. The objective is not simply regulatory compliance. International buyers increasingly conduct supplier due diligence before entering long-term contracts.
A professionally prepared exporter profile should therefore contain company registration information, factory information, production capacity, export markets, product catalogue, quality-control system, certifications, photographs, customer references where permissible and banking details.
Step 5: Develop Brazil-Specific Product Specifications
Never assume that a product successful in India, Europe or the Middle East can be sold unchanged in Brazil. Prepare a technical specification sheet.
For industrial jute bags, for example, specify:
- bag dimensions;
- GSM;
- fabric construction;
- warp and weft;
- bag weight;
- carrying capacity;
- seam/stitching;
- mouth construction;
- colour;
- printing;
- treatment;
- moisture specification;
- bale quantity;
- gross and net weight.
For lifestyle products, specify materials, dimensions, handle construction, lining, printing method, colourfastness, packaging and private-label options. Where jute sacks may come into contact with coffee, cocoa or other food/agricultural products, obtain the buyer’s specific technical and regulatory requirements before manufacturing. A sample approval process should precede mass production.
Step 6: Find Reliable Brazilian Buyers
Finding the correct importer is often more difficult than manufacturing the product. Potential target groups include:
Importers and distributors: Companies already importing packaging, natural fibres, textiles or sustainable products.
Coffee-sector companies: Coffee exporters, cooperatives, processors, packaging suppliers and specialty coffee businesses.
Agribusiness companies: Commodity processors, grain companies, agricultural suppliers and cooperatives.
Packaging distributors: Companies supplying bags, sacks and industrial packaging.
Retail chains: Potential buyers of reusable shopping and promotional bags.
Home décor importers: Buyers of rugs, baskets, mats and lifestyle products.
Construction and landscaping suppliers: Potential buyers of geotextiles.
Promotional-product companies: Buyers of branded reusable jute bags.
Exporters can identify prospects through Brazilian trade databases, chambers of commerce, sector associations, exhibitions, LinkedIn, importer databases, B2B platforms, Bangladesh diplomatic missions and bilateral organizations. The Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry can also be relevant for bilateral business networking and market linkage.
Step 7: Approach Brazilian Buyers Professionally
Sending thousands of generic emails saying “We are leading exporters of all kinds of jute products” rarely produces meaningful results. Instead, communicate a specific commercial proposition. A first approach should contain: Who you are → What you manufacture → Why it is relevant to the Brazilian buyer → Specifications → Production capacity → Export experience → Indicative MOQ → Incoterm → Catalogue/sample availability → Request for discussion.
For example, a coffee-sector buyer should receive information specifically about coffee-compatible jute sacks not a 50-page catalogue containing unrelated handicrafts. Brazilian Portuguese sales material can further improve market communication, although commercial negotiations can often proceed in English with international-trade departments.
Step 8: Calculate Export Price and Landed Cost
A competitive FOB factory price does not necessarily mean a competitive Brazilian landed price.
Exporters should calculate: Raw materials + manufacturing + finishing + packaging + inland transport + port/terminal expenses + documentation + bank charges + freight where applicable + insurance where applicable + commission + financing cost + profit margin.
Depending on the contract, common Incoterms may include: FOB Chattogram, CFR Brazilian Port or CIF Brazilian Port. For first-time exporters, quoting FOB and CIF/CFR alternatives can help buyers compare offers. However, Brazilian import taxes can materially affect landed cost. These depend on the exact NCM classification and current Brazilian tariff/tax treatment. Therefore, exporters should not advertise a universal “Brazil duty rate” for jute products.
Instead, ask the Brazilian importer to calculate: Customs value + Import Duty + applicable federal/state taxes + customs clearance + port charges + inland Brazilian logistics. This allows both parties to determine whether the proposed product remains competitive after landing.
Step 9: Agree on Safe Payment Terms
Payment risk must be managed carefully, especially with a new buyer. Possible mechanisms include:
Irrevocable Letter of Credit
A properly structured irrevocable documentary credit through acceptable banks can reduce payment risk when documents comply with LC conditions.
Advance Payment
Suitable for samples, small orders and customized production where the buyer accepts advance terms.
Documentary Collection
Can be considered with established buyers, but provides less security than a confirmed documentary credit.
Open Account
Generally more appropriate after a reliable trading history has been established or where export credit insurance or other protection is available.
Before extending credit, conduct commercial due diligence on the Brazilian buyer. Check corporate existence, address, management, business history, website, import activity, references and payment reputation where reliable information is available.
Step 10: Prepare Samples and Secure Buyer Approval
Samples are particularly important for jute products because natural fibres naturally vary in colour, texture and appearance. For industrial products, obtain written approval covering technical parameters. For printed bags, approve artwork and colour. For lifestyle products, confirm dimensions, accessories, labels and retail packaging. Keep an approved “golden sample” or reference sample in the factory. Bulk production should then be measured against that standard. This simple discipline can prevent expensive claims after a container arrives in Brazil.
Step 11: Quality Control Before Shipment
Quality control should be conducted at three stages.
Raw Material Inspection
Check fibre grade, strength, colour, moisture and contamination.
In-Process Inspection
Monitor yarn quality, weaving, GSM, dimensions, stitching, printing and finishing.
Final Pre-Shipment Inspection
Verify quantity, specifications, packaging, markings, bale/carton count and overall workmanship.
For large contracts, buyers may appoint an independent inspection company.
The objective is straightforward: Brazil is geographically distant from Bangladesh, so correcting quality problems after delivery is expensive. Prevention is significantly cheaper than claims.
Step 12: Prepare Export Documentation
The exact documentation depends on the product, contract, payment mechanism and Brazilian import requirements. Typical documents may include:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- EXP/export declaration and banking documentation applicable in Bangladesh
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- Insurance Certificate where required
- Inspection Certificate if contractually required
- Phytosanitary or treatment-related documentation where applicable
- Beneficiary/manufacturer declarations where required
- Other documents stipulated under the Letter of Credit or purchase contract.
Documentation must be internally consistent. Product description, HS/NCM references, quantities, weights, marks, consignee information and invoice values should match across documents. Document discrepancies are among the easiest ways to delay customs clearance or LC payment.
Phytosanitary Considerations for Raw and Plant-Based Materials
Because jute is a plant-derived fibre, exporters of raw or minimally processed jute should specifically verify whether their shipment is subject to Brazilian agricultural or phytosanitary controls. Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock MAPA (administers plant-health controls), while Brazil uses its regulatory systems to determine requirements applicable to plant products and regulated articles. Requirements can depend on processing level, origin, intended use and exact commodity classification.
Therefore: Do not assume that a phytosanitary certificate is always required, and do not assume that it is never required.
The Brazilian importer should verify the applicable administrative and plant-health treatment for the exact NCM and product condition before shipment.
Step 13: Select the Shipping Route
Sea freight is normally the logical method for commercial volumes of jute and jute products.
A typical supply chain may involve: Factory → Chattogram Port → transshipment hub → Brazilian seaport → customs clearance → Brazilian warehouse/buyer. Depending on buyer location and carrier routing, Brazilian ports may include major gateways such as Santos and other regional ports. Because jute products can be bulky relative to their value, container utilization is critical.
Exporters should optimize:
- bale dimensions;
- compression;
- cartons per container;
- cubic-meter utilization;
- moisture protection;
- container cleanliness;
- ventilation requirements;
- desiccant use where appropriate.
Freight should always be obtained for the actual shipment period rather than relying on historical rates.
18. Sustainability as a Marketing Advantage
Bangladeshi exporters should stop marketing jute merely as a cheap packaging material. Its strongest long-term proposition is sustainability. Jute is renewable, plant-based, biodegradable and suitable for numerous reusable applications. These characteristics can position Bangladesh well as companies seek alternatives to conventional petroleum-based materials. However, sustainability claims should be evidence-based.
Professional exporters should increasingly develop information covering:
- fibre origin;
- recycled content where relevant;
- chemical treatments;
- biodegradability;
- reusable lifecycle;
- manufacturing processes;
- traceability;
- environmental compliance.
Large international buyers increasingly want evidence, not slogans.
19. Moving from Commodity Exporting to Value-Added Exporting
Bangladesh’s FY2024–25 jute export statistics reveal why diversification matters. While overall jute-sector exports declined, jute sacks and bags recorded strong year-on-year growth. Exporters should therefore consider a value ladder: Raw Jute → Yarn → Fabric → Industrial Sack → Printed/Customized Packaging → Diversified Consumer Product → Engineered Jute Product.
Every movement upward potentially increases value addition, employment, branding opportunities and customer stickiness. Brazil should therefore be viewed not simply as a destination for raw jute but as a market for Bangladeshi jute solutions.
20. A Practical Brazil Market-Entry Strategy
For a new exporter, attempting nationwide coverage immediately is unnecessary. A more disciplined strategy is:
Phase 1 – Research: Select one or two products and identify their Brazilian NCM classifications, competitors, landed cost and target industries.
Phase 2 – Lead Generation: Develop a database of 50–100 carefully selected Brazilian companies.
Phase 3 – Engagement: Send customized proposals and conduct virtual meetings.
Phase 4 – Sampling: Supply samples to qualified prospects.
Phase 5 – Trial Shipment: Begin with a manageable commercial order.
Phase 6 – Evaluation: Review quality, landed cost, clearance, customer feedback and profitability.
Phase 7 – Scaling: Negotiate annual supply contracts, distributor relationships or private-label arrangements.
This is far safer than producing inventory first and searching for customers afterward.
21. Major Risks and How Exporters Should Manage Them
Price Competition
Jute competes with synthetic materials and suppliers from other countries.
Solution: Compete on specifications, sustainability, customization and reliability—not price alone.
Freight Cost
Bangladesh–Brazil distance can make freight a significant component of landed cost.
Solution: Improve container utilization and negotiate shipment planning with buyers.
Regulatory Error
Incorrect NCM classification or failure to identify licensing requirements can delay clearance.
Solution: Obtain classification confirmation from the Brazilian importer/customs broker before shipment.
Quality Claims
Natural-fibre variation may create disputes.
Solution: Agree specifications and approve samples before production.
Payment Risk
New buyers may request unsecured credit.
Solution: Conduct due diligence and initially use safer payment mechanisms.
Communication Barrier
Portuguese dominates domestic Brazilian commerce.
Solution: Develop Portuguese-language product sheets and, where commercially justified, appoint a Brazilian representative or distributor.
22. Role of Trade Promotion and Business Matchmaking
Brazil is a large market geographically and linguistically distant from Bangladesh. Consequently, institutional networking can substantially reduce market-entry friction. Exporters should consider working with the Export Promotion Bureau, Bangladesh missions, relevant jute associations, chambers of commerce and bilateral business organizations.
The Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI) can serve as a platform for Bangladesh–Brazil business connectivity, institutional networking and buyer–seller engagement.
Participation in exhibitions, business delegations, sector-specific B2B meetings and buyer-seller matchmaking programs can be especially valuable because Brazilian importers may prefer meeting prospective suppliers before committing to substantial orders.
23. Exporter’s Final Checklist
Before shipping jute or jute products from Bangladesh to Brazil, confirm the following:
Product: Exact specifications finalized.
HS/NCM: Classification confirmed with Brazilian importer.
Buyer: Corporate and commercial due diligence completed.
Import permission: Brazilian administrative treatment checked.
Sample: Approved by buyer.
Price: FOB/CFR/CIF and landed-cost implications understood.
Payment: Secure terms agreed.
Contract: Product, quantity, tolerances, delivery, claims and Incoterm clearly stated.
Production: Quality-control procedure established.
Inspection: Completed where required.
Documentation: Invoice, packing list, origin and transport documents aligned.
Plant-health requirement: Verified where relevant.
Shipping: Container, port, freight and transit plan confirmed.
Insurance: Arranged according to Incoterm/contract.
After-sales: Buyer contacted after delivery and feedback documented.
Conclusion:
The commercial opportunity for exporting jute and jute products from Bangladesh to Brazil is real, but successful market entry requires considerably more than identifying a Brazilian buyer and offering a low price. Bangladesh enters this market with significant advantages: a strong raw-material base, established jute-processing capacity, experienced manufacturers, internationally recognized fibre quality and an expanding range of diversified products. Bangladesh earned more than US$820 million from jute and jute goods in FY2024–25, demonstrating that the industry remains an important national export sector.
Brazil, meanwhile, offers a commercially relevant combination of agriculture, coffee, commodities, retail, packaging, construction and sustainability-oriented applications. Existing trade also shows that Bangladesh already has a meaningful presence in Brazil’s jute and bast-fibre imports. The next objective should therefore be value-added market expansion.
Bangladeshi exporters should move beyond selling generic raw materials and develop Brazil-specific products: coffee sacks, industrial packaging, jute yarn, customized reusable bags, home décor, geotextiles and other technically differentiated jute solutions. The most effective pathway can be summarized as: Research the market → Select the right product → Confirm HS/NCM classification → Identify qualified buyers → Understand Brazilian regulations → Develop buyer-specific specifications → Send samples → Calculate landed competitiveness → Negotiate secure payment → Produce under strict quality control → Complete accurate documentation → Ship professionally → Build repeat business.
Exporters who follow this process systematically can transform Brazil from an occasional destination into a strategic market. For Bangladesh, the opportunity is larger than exporting another container of jute. It is an opportunity to reposition the country’s Golden Fibre as a modern, sustainable and commercially competitive material for one of Latin America’s largest economies.
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