Bangladesh: Businesses in 'cloud of uncertainty' amid closure of Strait of Hormuz, as exporters fear factory closures & unpaid wages ahead of Eid
"Closure of the Strait of Hormuz declared, businesses in uncertainty", 4 March 2026
Following the spread of war across the Middle East, a sudden cloud of uncertainty has descended upon Bangladesh’s processed food exporters and other trading firms. In effect, it is not possible to send goods neither by sea nor by air. As a result, a paralysis has emerged on both the import and export fronts...
Bangladesh conducts trade with seven countries—Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia—through the Strait of Hormuz...
Exporters state that numerous Bangladeshi firms ship ready-made garments, processed foods, vegetables, fruits, frozen fish, caps and footwear to the Middle East. If the conflict is prolonged, small and medium-sized enterprises in particular will face severe financial strain. Without a swift resolution, some factories risk closure...
Following Iran’s official declaration on Monday closing the Strait of Hormuz, shipping lines suspended bookings for export containers destined for eight countries in the Persian Gulf region and the broader Middle East...
Shipping companies estimate that more than 1,000 containers are currently stuck. Some had been dispatched before the outbreak of war but have been halted en route. These containers include food products, beverages and ready-made garments...
Riverine Fish and Food Processing Industries, a regular exporter of frozen fish to the Middle East, typically ships around 40 containers annually to the region. Exports are presently suspended due to the conflict.
Its managing director, Mohammad Shahjahan Chowdhury, who is also president of the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association, told Prothom Alo that at least 100 containers of frozen fish are stranded at ports and factories. A prolonged impasse could push several companies towards closure...
“No new export orders are being placed. Imports have also stopped. We source petrochemicals from the Middle East as raw materials for plastic. Shipments of 10,000–12,000 tonnes have already been cancelled. If the war does not cease within seven to 10 days, our factory production will be disrupted,” he said...
Fatullah Apparels of Narayanganj shipped a consignment of garments last Saturday under a purchase order from a Saudi buyer. A further shipment was scheduled for 7 March, but the buyer has requested a temporary halt.
The factory’s managing director Fazle Shamim Ehsan observed, “Even small export orders before Eid are important to us, as we must meet workers’ wage and allowance obligations.”...