The Jute Commissioner has instructed traders and balers to sell all raw jute stock to jute mills by May 5, 2026, due to soaring raw jute prices exceeding the Minimum Support Price for 2025-26. This measure aims to enhance raw jute availability for manufacturers and safeguard workers’ interests. The Ministry of Textiles disclosed that the decision followed concerns raised by stakeholders about raw jute availability.
Under the new regulations, raw jute balers registered with the Jute Commissioner must sell their entire stock by May 5, 2026, and complete delivery by May 15, 2026. Similarly, unregistered balers and stockists without baling presses also face zero holding limits. Jute mills and processing units are allowed to retain raw jute equivalent to 45 days of consumption at current production rates.
Entities stocking raw jute are required to update their stock positions every fortnight on the Jute SMART portal. Officials have the authority to inspect premises and records, seizing excess stocks that violate the directive. State governments have been urged to assist in enforcing actions against hoarders of raw jute.
Any entity failing to declare stock positions or breaching stock limits will face punitive measures under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Ministry emphasized that price fluctuations and raw jute scarcity pose risks to the jute industry and could disrupt employment within the sector.
