Mineral fuels and petroleum products continue to be the biggest item in Bangladesh’s import basket. Refined petroleum oils and liquefied natural gas were the leading imports for the country in the April 2025-March 2026 period, accounting for a large share of the value. Bangladesh has relied heavily on imported energy to power its industrial zones and transport links, signing deals for refined fuel and LNG from India, Indonesia and the UAE as its domestic natural gas reserves shrink.
Cotton Keeps Garment Industry Rolling
Raw cotton and cotton yarn are the backbone of the Ready Made Garment industry of Bangladesh, which drives much of the country’s export earnings. The domestic production is less than 2 per cent of the national demand,d and Bangladesh is still among the top two cotton-importing countries of the world.
Food Imports Reduce Growing Gap
Key food imports include wheat and edible oils to meet rising domestic consumption. Bangladesh has significant demand for products such as petroleum, machinery, electronics and food items like wheat and edible oils. The country’s imports of food-related goods contain a large volume of palm oil to satisfy the cooking oil needs of households.
Fuel, Machinery & Electronics Industrial Expansion
Another major import category is machinery, electronics and industrial equipment, reflecting Bangladesh’s drive to expand manufacturing and develop infrastructure. Most of these products are made in China, which produces the fabrics, polyester, machinery and electronics that power the garment and manufacturing industries.
Iron, Steel and Chemicals Finish the List
Iron, steel and chemicals form the basis for construction and industrial production, while pharmaceuticals and vehicles contribute to the diversity of goods entering the country. Petroleum and mineral fuels, textile raw materials (cotton and yarn), food products, and machinery and iron account for most of Bangladesh’s import spending.
Supply led by China, India
Bangladesh’s two largest trade partners in terms of import value are China and India. China was the only country to grow more than 34 per cent, with over 7.3 million shipments in 2025, while India was next with over 4 million shipments and nearly 19 per cent growth. Bangladesh needs vital raw materials, fuel and agricultural products from India to meet its industrial and consumer needs. Singapore is reliant on imports of petroleum products. Brazil exports agricultural products, including sugar, soybean oil and cotton.
A Shrinking Trade Gap
And Bangladesh has been improving its trade position in spite of import scale. The trade deficit for the first half of FY2024-25 was lowered to around $12 billion, a decline of over 9 per cent from the year-ago period, pointing to improved export competitiveness even as import volumes rose mildly. Imports jumped to $6.2 billion in July 2025, the highest in three years, indicating that earlier foreign exchange problems might be reversing.
Implications for Bangladesh economy
From fuel for factories to wheat for homes, Bangladesh’s import basket tells a story of an economy still developing domestic capacity for its energy, food and industrial needs. As Bangladesh moves closer to becoming a developed country, these ten import categories will continue to affect everything from electricity bills to grocery prices for millions of Bangladeshis.
