Instability of jute trade

The volume of international trade in jute and jute goods expanded rapidly from the early post-war period until the mid-sixties, reflecting a rising demand in all the principal importing countries, and growing supplies in Asian producing countries. In the latter part of the sixties, however, trade in manufactures began to decline under the impact of shrinking demand in developed countries and reduced import requirements in Africa and Latin America. The fall accelerated during the early seventies following serious interruptions in supply accompanied by rapidly rising prices.