HS Code:
Products with textile components in which vegetable fibers (such as cotton, jute, flax, and hemp) predominate by weight over any other single textile fiber fall under specific Harmonized System (HS) codes, primarily within Chapter 53 (Other vegetable textile fibers; paper yarn and woven fabrics of paper yarn) and parts of Chapter 52 (Cotton). These products include yarns, woven fabrics, and other textile articles made predominantly from vegetable fibers. They are widely used in clothing, home textiles, and industrial applications due to their natural, biodegradable, and sustainable properties. Global trade in these products is influenced by agricultural production capacities, labor costs, sustainability trends, and trade policies favoring eco-friendly materials.
Total Trade Volume
USD 15.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 4.5 billion
29.6% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 3.8 billion
25.0% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 1.9 billion
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 1.2 billion
7.9% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 0.8 billion
5.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
8.5%
Highest Rate
25% (imposed by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like the EU-GSP for least developed countries)
Rising demand for sustainable textiles
Increased exports of vegetable fiber-based products as consumers and brands prioritize eco-friendly materials, boosting markets in countries with strong agricultural bases like India and Bangladesh.
2021-2023
Shift towards organic cotton and hemp
Higher trade volumes for certified organic vegetable fiber products, with premiums on pricing benefiting exporters who meet international organic standards.
2020-2022
Technological advancements in processing
Improved quality and reduced costs in vegetable fiber processing have enhanced competitiveness of products, particularly from China and India.
2019-2022
The European Union's Green Deal has introduced stricter sustainability requirements for textile imports, including vegetable fiber products, pushing exporters to adopt greener practices.
January 2023
Potential short-term cost increases for exporters, but long-term benefits for those aligning with sustainability standards.
Recent adjustments in the US-China trade agreement have reduced tariffs on certain vegetable fiber textiles, easing trade tensions and boosting Chinese exports to the US.
March 2022
Increased trade volume for China, potentially affecting market shares of competitors like India and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh's renewal of GSP+ status with the EU has ensured duty-free access for vegetable fiber textiles, strengthening its position in the European market.
October 2022
Enhanced competitiveness for Bangladeshi exporters, likely increasing their trade volume in the coming years.