Fiber & Crops· Corchorus capsularis

Jute Growing Guide

The world's second most important natural fiber after cotton, producing strong biodegradable bast fiber for sacking, hessian cloth, and geotextiles. Cultivated primarily in the Bengal Delta region of South Asia.

How Long Does Jute Take to Grow?

Jute is typically ready to harvest about 120 days after planting.

120

Days to Harvest

1,685

kg/hectare

high

Water Needs

full sun

Sun Needs

FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Production: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 13 October 2026. https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL Licence: CC-BY-4.0.

Growing Conditions

Temperature

24-37°C optimal

Rainfall

1200-2500 mm/year

Frost Tolerance

none

Drought Tolerance

low

Humidity

high tolerance

Heat Tolerance

high

Soil Requirements

Soil Type & pH

Best soil types: loam, alluvial, clay loam

pH range: 6.5 - 7 (optimal: 6.8)

Drainage: moderate

Nutrient Needs (N-P-K)

Nitrogen (N)high

Phosphorus (P)moderate

Potassium (K)moderate

Planting Guide

Planting Methods

broadcasting, direct seeding

Planting Depth

2 cm

Plant Spacing

7 cm apart, 25 cm rows

Planting Season

spring, early_summer

Yield & Economics

Yield Range

370 - 11,010 kg/ha

Common Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

jute semilooper
yellow mite
stem weevil

Common Diseases

stem rot
anthracnose
root rot

Use AI crop disease detection to identify issues early and prevent crop losses.

Growing Tips

Harvest at early flowering (small pod stage) for best fiber quality; delayed harvest produces coarse fiber.

Retting in slow-moving clean water for 10-15 days separates bast fiber from the stem -- water quality affects fiber color.

Jute leaves are edible and nutritious, commonly consumed as a vegetable (molokhia) in Egypt and West Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Jute take to grow?

Jute typically takes 120 days from planting to harvest. Seeds germinate in about 5 days. The best planting season is spring, early_summer.

What soil does Jute need?

Jute grows best in loam, alluvial, clay loam soil with a pH of 6.5-7. Moderate drainage is required.

What temperature does Jute need?

Jute grows best at 24-37°C. Frost tolerance: none. Heat tolerance: high.

What is the expected yield for Jute?

Across 18 countries with grounded data, reported national yields for Jute range from 370 to 11,010 kg/hectare, with a median of 1,685. These are national statistics, not a best-case figure — an individual farm's yield depends on variety, climate, soil and management.