Jute fibers, composed primarily of cellulose and lignin, are collected from bast (the phloem of the plant, sometimes called the "skin"). The industrial term for jute fiber is raw jute. The fibers are off-white to brown and range from 1 - 4 m long. In Bangladesh, jute is called the "golden fiber" for its color and monetary value.

The bulk of the jute trade is centered in South Asia,