Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Raw Jute Prices in West Bengal Drop 50% Amid Quotation Dispute
Raw jute, a plant used to make sacks, fell in price by half in West Bengal between July and August 2026.
The Jute Balers' Association (JBA) publishes daily price lists that help set the cost of government sacks.
The Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) says these lists don’t match real market prices and could mislead the price‑setting system.
JBA says it uses a fair method that looks at similar ready‑delivery trades.
Industry leaders want a deeper look into why the prices dropped so fast.
Raw jute prices in West Bengal fell from ₹18,300 to ₹9,100 per quintal between July 9 and August 1, a 50% decline.
The Jute Balers' Association (JBA) publishes daily benchmark rates used to set government jute gunny bag prices.
The Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) claims JBA quotations do not reflect actual market trades and may distort price‑fixing.
JBA defends its methodology, stating it records like‑for‑like ready‑delivery rates and excludes non‑standard terms.
Industry leaders, including former IJMA chairman Sanjay Kajaria, call for a transaction‑based investigation into the price drop.
- Who
- Jute industry stakeholders including farmers, mills, JBA and IJMA
- What
- 50% drop in raw jute prices and dispute over quotation methodology
- When
- July 9 – August 1, 2026
- Where
- West Bengal, India
- Why
- Unclear market dynamics and potential misalignment between published rates and actual trades
- Price drop
- 50% from ₹18,300 to ₹9,100 per quintal
- Timeframe
- July 9 – August 1, 2026
- Primary reference
- Jute Balers' Association daily quotations
- Affected cost component
- Raw jute cost in gunny bag price (≈2/3 of total)
- Industry call
- Transaction-based investigation
