The current stock of jute bags can meet the demand of the next two months as there is a demand of 800mn jute bags in Bangladesh every year.

By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka
Bangladesh’s drive against plastic bags to enforce mandatory use of jute bags for packaging might face a setback due to shortage and high price of jute bags.
Wholesalers say rice packed in jute bags remains in a good condition for a longer period than in plastic bags. Besides, a plastic bag costs 15-20 taka while a jute bag weighing 300gm costs 55-60 taka which will surely lead to a hike by 1 taka for per kg rice.
When it comes to popularity and price, consumers say they use plastic bags as it is available and cheaper.
Although both traders and consumers have welcomed the government’s move to introduce jute bags for packaging, they demanded that the price of jute bags be lowered and made available everywhere.
Officials said the current stock of jute bags can meet the demand of the next two months as there is a demand of 800mn jute bags in Bangladesh every year.
They, however, hope people will respond to the government’s call for jute bag use.
Bangladesh made the use of jute sacks mandatory for packaging six items containing 50kg and above after November 30. It launched a drive on Tuesday against the use of plastic bags to make sure jute bags are used accordingly.
Drives will be conducted against those who do not pack the six essentials - paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertiliser and sugar.
During a visit to rice wholesale shops in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur Market, it was seen almost 85% of rice have been kept in plastic bags in every shop.
Shop owners said they were not getting any plastic bags during the last five days as the government banned it after November 30.
They also said it will take two or three more months to end the stock of plastic bags.
Masum Hossain, a shop owner, said, “We need time to fully abide by the government’s decision as we have got huge rice in plastic bags in our stock. If we use the jute bags, the rice price will go up by 1 taka per kg.”
He said jute bag price needs to be brought down to that of plastic bags to encourage all to use jute bags.
Abdur Rahman, another trader, said the government should allow the use of plastic layers in jute bags which are good for rice.
He, however, said they would comply with the government’s decision as jute bags are environment-friendly ones.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam said, “We’re receiving positive response from all regarding the use of jute bags as we conducted awareness campaigns in the last six months in this regard.”
About the demand and supply of the jute bags, the junior minister said they have made mandatory the use of jute bags for six items.
“We need 800mn bags every year. The government has the stock for two months.”
He said if the government’s directive is followed strictly, Bangladesh would regain its lost glory of jute, and hoped that people will use jute bags imbued with patriotism.