TBM Report
The Bangladesh Charcoal Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCCMEA) is spearheading a revolution by transforming humble jute sticks into high-value charcoal for the global market. Since its official registration in 2018, the association has been instrumental in expanding exports to major economies, including Japan, Brazil, Turkey, the USA, and South Korea. This emerging sector is now being hailed as the “new frontier” for Bangladesh’s jute industry, promising to restore the historical prestige of the ‘Golden Fiber.’
BCCMEA President Atiqur Rahman expressed profound gratitude for the government’s supportive role, stating, “The guardian-like role of the current government in ensuring charcoal production and export deeply inspires us. If our entrepreneurs maintain quality and ensure stable production, charcoal will play a pivotal role in regaining the lost glory of our jute sector.” Rahman believes that with consistent quality and strategic export planning, the entrepreneurs who have emerged in recent years can turn this sector into a multi-billion dollar industry.
The economic potential of jute-stick charcoal is staggering. Bangladesh produces approximately 3 million tons of jute sticks annually; utilizing just 50% of this waste could generate 300,000 tons of charcoal, worth an estimated 35 billion BDT in foreign exchange. Currently, the sector employs over 10,000 people and earned 250 million BDT in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Industry leaders have set an ambitious export target of $100 million over the next five years, bolstered by the ‘Charcoal Policy 2022.’
Beyond economics, the industry offers a sustainable alternative to deforestation. While the developed world traditionally used wood for charcoal, Bangladesh’s jute-stick carbon provides an eco-friendly solution for industries like water purification, tire manufacturing, and cosmetics. President Atiqur Rahman emphasized that by promoting jute sticks as the primary raw material, Bangladesh could protect forests while dominating the global market. This transition from “waste” to “wealth” is set to become a cornerstone of the nation’s GDP growth.
