How raw jute is graded
Grading is the sorting of raw jute by quality. Graders judge the fibre on several properties at once, then assign a letter grade. The main factors are:
- Strength, the single most important property
- Colour, where light, bright fibre grades higher
- Lustre, the natural sheen
- Fineness (denier), how fine the filaments are
- Length and root content, how much hard root end must be cut away
- Cleanliness and freedom from defects, no specks, knots, croppiness or damage
Bangla Tossa, Bangla White and Mesta
Bangladesh classifies raw jute into three families by species, each graded best to lowest, with root-end cuttings as a separate low grade:
| Group | Grade codes (best to lowest) | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bangla Tossa (BT) | BTA, BTB, BTC, BTD, BTE | Strong, silky, golden to grey; Corchorus olitorius |
| Bangla White (BW) | BWA, BWB, BWC, BWD, BWE | Whitish, softer, lower strength; Corchorus capsularis |
| Tossa Cuttings | BTCA, BTCB | Hard root-end cuttings of Tossa |
| White Cuttings | BWCA, BWCB | Hard root-end cuttings of White |
| Mesta / Kenaf | Top, Mid, Bottom (A, B, C) | Coarser hibiscus fibre, a lower-cost substitute |
The letter falls as quality falls: BTA is the strongest, cleanest Tossa; BTE is weak and defect-prone. Cuttings (codes with a C, such as BTCA) are the cut-off root ends, the lowest usable grade.
Tossa vs White vs Mesta
Tossa is the premium fibre: stronger, silkier and longer, so it goes into yarn, twine, rope and finer cloth. White is softer and weaker, used where strength matters less. Mesta (kenaf) is a coarser, cheaper hibiscus fibre used as a jute substitute in sacking and coarse goods. Most Bangladeshi export jute is Tossa.
What each grade is used for
| Grade band | Typical use |
|---|---|
| A and B (BTA, BTB, BWA, BWB) | Fine hessian cloth, quality yarn, finer fabrics |
| C and D (BTC, BTD, BWC) | Sacking cloth and sacking-grade (CRM) yarn |
| E and Mesta | Coarse sacking, rope, twine, low-cost goods |
| Cuttings (BTCA, BWCA) | Low-grade yarn, blending, paper pulp and felt |
How to specify raw jute
Tell us the grade band or the end product, the quantity in metric tonnes, and the destination. We bale graded Tossa, White and Mesta to your grade and ship from Chattogram. If you are unsure which grade fits, send us what you are making and we will recommend the right one.