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The unrest in Bangladesh has led to a significant disruption in the export of key commodities from India, particularly affecting the agricultural sector. This turmoil has halted the exports of cotton, vegetables, oil meals, and seafood, creating challenges for entrepreneurs and manufacturers who rely on the Bangladeshi market.

According to the data, Bangladesh ranks among the top ten export markets for India, with exports totaling Rs.11 billion in FY24. This includes significant exports of cotton yarn worth Rs.11,442 crore, petroleum products valued at Rs.10,387 crore, and raw cotton including waste amounting to Rs.5,250 crore. Cotton fabrics also constitute a major export, valued at Rs.3,548 crore. The total bilateral trade balance between India and Bangladesh stands at Rs.9.5 billion.

The textile sector, particularly cotton exports, has been heavily impacted. Raw cotton exports to Bangladesh, including waste, amounted to Rs.633 million during 2023-24, making up over half of the shipments. However, the ongoing unrest has caused a complete halt in the export of cotton and yarn. Over the past month, no cotton or yarn has been exported, leading to concerns about the short-term impact on trade and potential reversals in export volumes.

The seafood industry, which includes high-quality jute re-exported as value-added products, is also at risk. The industry faces immediate challenges, with the disruption threatening to impact exports of seafood and jute to primary destinations like Dhaka. The value of jute exports to Bangladesh is Rs.766 crore, and any disruption in this trade is significant for both economies.

Oil meal exports have similarly faced a standstill due to the unrest. The monthly export rate of oil meals to Bangladesh, typically around ?1.3-1.5 billion, has been severely affected, potentially leading to losses of $300-400 million in monthly volumes. This stoppage impacts not just the immediate export values but also the overall trade relations between the two countries.

Additionally, the onion trade has been disrupted, with no trucks crossing the border for three days. This highlights the severity of the impact on perishable goods and the broader agricultural sector. India's exports to Bangladesh of various agricultural commodities have been crucial, but the current situation poses significant risks to meeting delivery schedules and maintaining trade volumes.

In summary, the unrest in Bangladesh has brought Indian exports of key agricultural commodities to a standstill, particularly affecting cotton, seafood, oil meals, and jute. The data underscores the substantial economic impact, with billions of rupees worth of trade at risk. Immediate concerns include potential reversals in export volumes, challenges in meeting delivery schedules, and broader implications for trade relations and economic stability in the region.

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