India’s jute industry is gaining new opportunities from rising demand for sustainable materials.
Jute is a natural fibre. It is renewable and biodegradable. It also has a low environmental impact.
The fibre is used in many products. These include bags, packaging, home textiles, technical textiles and geotextiles.
India is one of the leading producers of jute in the world. The industry also supports farmers, workers, manufacturers, artisans and exporters.
West Bengal Leads Jute Production
West Bengal is the largest jute-producing state in India.
It produces up to 75% of India’s raw jute, according to data cited by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).
Bihar and Assam are also major producers. Jute is also grown in Meghalaya, Odisha, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh.
The industry has a wide production base. This helps India supply raw jute to mills and manufacturers.
India produces about 8.34 million bales of raw jute and mesta each year. This production supports both domestic use and exports.
India Has a Strong Jute Export Market
India is also an important player in the global jute market.
According to IBEF, India produces about 52% of the world’s jute products.
India is also a major exporter of jute products. Raw jute exports reached about 22.70 thousand metric tonnes in 2025-26.
The export value was around Rs. 2,251.10 million. This was equal to about US$25.47 million.
Hessian goods and sacking bags form a major part of jute exports.
At the same time, diversified jute products are gaining attention. Global demand for sustainable materials is helping this segment grow.
Government Supports the Jute Industry
The Government of India has introduced several measures for the sector.
The Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987, supports demand for jute bags.
The Act requires jute packaging for certain notified commodities. These include foodgrains and sugar.
The Jute Corporation of India also supports jute farmers.
It buys raw jute when market prices fall below the Minimum Support Price. This helps support farmers and maintain raw material supply.
The National Jute Board also supports the sector.
Its work includes product development, design, skill development and export promotion.
Better Farming Practices
The Jute-ICARE programme supports better jute cultivation.
The programme promotes improved seeds and better sowing methods. It also promotes advanced retting techniques.
These steps can improve productivity and fibre quality.
The programme also aims to increase farmer income.
Digital Procurement Gets More Focus
The Office of the Jute Commissioner developed the JUTE-SMART platform.
The platform supports digital procurement of B-Twill jute sacking.
It also helps reduce paperwork. In addition, it improves transparency in the procurement process.
Outlook for India’s Jute Industry
The demand for biodegradable products is creating new opportunities for jute manufacturers.
Packaging remains an important market. However, new uses are also emerging.
Technical textiles and geotextiles can offer further growth opportunities.
Product development will also remain important. Manufacturers can develop new jute products for domestic and global markets.
Research and better production methods can support this growth.
Export markets can also expand with better quality and product diversity.
Overall, India has a strong base for jute production. Its large raw material supply and manufacturing network support the sector.
The growing demand for natural and biodegradable materials can create further opportunities for India’s jute industry.
