The following product groups represent the highest dollar value in Bangladesh’s import purchases during 2020. Also shown is the percentage share each product category represents in terms of overall imports into Bangladesh.

1. Cotton: US$4.9 billion (10.5% of total imports)
2. Machinery including computers: $4.8 billion (10.3%)
3. Mineral fuels including oil: $3.6 billion (7.9%)
4. Electrical machinery, equipment: $3.3 billion (7.1%)
5. Iron, steel: $2.4 billion (5.2%)
6. Plastics, plastic articles: $2 billion (4.4%)
7. Cereals: $1.7 billion (3.7%)
8. Animal/vegetable fats, oils, waxes: $1.3 billion (2.9%)
9. Knit or crochet fabric: $1.34 billion (2.9%)
10. Manmade staple fibers: $1.33 billion (2.9%)

Bangladesh’s top 10 imports approach about three-fifths (57.7%) of the overall value of its product purchases from other countries.

There were 2 advances from 2019 to 2020 for the above top product categories. Imports into Bangladesh of animal or vegetable fats, oils and waxes rose in cost by 3.4%. Propelled by higher purchasing costs for corn, imported cereals appreciated by 2.2% year over year.

Leading the annual decreases among the top 10 Bangladeshi imports were mineral fuels including oil via a -40.9% drop year over year, ahead of the 25% decline for imported manmade staple fibers and the -24.8% slowdown for imports of cotton.

Please note that the results listed above are at the 2-digit Harmonized Tariff System code level. Information presented under other the adjacent virtual folder tabs labeled with product groups is at the more granular 4-digit level.

In 2020, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of cotton and related products.

1. Cotton (uncarded, uncombed): US$1.5 billion (down -22.1% from 2019)
2. Woven fabrics (85%+ cotton): $954.3 million (down -27.4%)
3. Yarn (85%+ cotton): $877.9 million (up 1.8%)
4. Woven fabrics (mixed): $680.2 million (down -20.1%)
5. Woven cotton fabrics: $611.2 million (down -33.5%)
6. Woven fabrics (under 85% cotton): $153 million (down -38.8%)
7. Yarn (under 85% cotton): $83.3 million (down -19%)
8. Other woven fabrics: $31.6 million (down -27.5%)
9. Cotton waste: $11.1 million (up 893.9%)
10. Cotton (carded, combed): $6.9 million (down -97.4%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of cotton waste (up 893.9%) and yarn made of 85% cotton or more (up 1.8%) grew from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported cotton among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.

In 2020, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of machines including computers.

1. Temperature-change machines: US$312.6 million (up 41.8% from 2019)
2. Liquid pumps and elevators: $263.5 million (up 10.8%)
3. Computers, optical readers: $229.9 million (down -28.9%)
4. Turbo-jets: $183.1 million (up 19.8%)
5. Air or vacuum pumps: $175.5 million (down -18.7%)
6. Miscellaneous machinery: $173.7 million (down -18.8%)
7. Yarn wash/clean/iron machines: $171.7 million (down -36)
8. Centrifuges, filters and purifiers: $149.2 million (down -17.2%)
9. Engines (diesel): $148.6 million (up 11.5%)
10. Sewing machines, related furniture: $145.8 million (down -38.1%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of temperature-change machines (up 41.8%), turbo-jets (up 19.8%) then diesel engines (up 11.5%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported machinery among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.

In 2020, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of mineral fuels-related products.

1. Processed petroleum oils: US$2.6 billion (down -32.2% from 2019)
2. Electrical energy: $424.7 million (down -15.9%)
3. Coal, solid fuels made from coal: $392.1 million (up 2.4%)
4. Petroleum gases: $224.1 million (down -84.2%)
5. Petroleum jelly, mineral waxes: $8.4 million (up 0.7%)
6. Petroleum oil residues: $7.5 million (down -67.5%)
7. Coke, semi-coke: $5.3 million (up 2%)
8. Distilled tar: $3 million (up 33.2%)
9. Coal tar oils (high temperature distillation): $2.2 million (down -26.9%)
10. Asphalt/petroleum bitumen mixes: $441,000 (down -8.9%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of distilled tar (up 33.2%), coal plus solid fuels made from coal (up 2.4%) then coke or semi-coke (up 2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of mineral fuels-related imports among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.

In 2020, Bangladeshi importers spent the most on the following 10 subcategories of electronic equipment including consumer electronics.

1. Phone system devices including smartphones: US$1.1 billion (up 11% from 2019)
2. Electrical converters/power units: $269.8 million (up 3.6%)
3. Electric motors, generators: $252.2 million (up 91.2%)
4. Unrecorded sound media: $174.1 million (up 23.2%)
5. Electric generating sets, converters: $165.2 million (down -39.1%)
6. Insulated wire/cable: $149.5 million (down -29.4%)
7. Electric storage batteries: $141.4 million (up 31.4%)
8. TV/radio/radar device parts: $115.5 million (down -8.4%)
9. Electrical/optical circuit boards, panels: $107.7 million (down -29.4%)
10. TV receivers/monitors/projectors: $80 million (down -25.8%)

Among these import subcategories, Bangladeshi purchases of electric motors and generators (up 91.2%), electric storage batteries (up 31.4%) then unrecorded sound media (up 23.2%) grew at the fastest pace from 2019 to 2020.

These amounts and the percentage gains within parenthesis clearly show where the strongest demand lies for different types of imported electronics among Bangladeshi businesses and consumers.