Jute Gradation

Jute gradation is done after the extraction process, usually done by Kutcha balers. The various grades given to jute are like :

• Top : This represents very strong fibers, good color and luster.
• Middle : This signifies strong fibers having average luster and color.
• Bottom : This represents sound fibers having medium strength.
• B-Bottom : This signifies sound fibers having medium strength but not appropriate for high grades.
• C- Bottom : This signifies fibers of any color having medium strength.
• X- Bottom : This represents weakest jute fiber.

Further, on the basis of strength, length, fineness, luster and color, raw jute is distinguished for manufacturing jute products and trading.

Variety of jutes & their grades
Commonly, jute is grown in four varieties as Tossa, White, Mesta and Bimli. Depending upon the grading process, each category is further classified on a scale of 1 to 8, where 1 means the best grade and 8 worst. Among these varieties, the production of Tossa fiber is around 78% i.e the highest and of the white jute, it is around 10%.

Type of Jute	Grades
White jute	W-1, W-2, W-3, W-4, W-5, W-6, W-7, W-8.
Tossa jute	TD-1, TD-2, TD-3, TD-4, TD-5, TD-6, TD-7, TD-8
Mesta jute	M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-6

Also, gradation of jute as per region wise are like :

Region	Gradation
Assam	Assam -1 to Assam – 8
Jungli	Jungli - 1 to Jungli – 8
Bimali	Bimali -1 to Bimali - 8

Basis of grading
Some factors which are essential while selecting different grades of jute are :

• Qualities such as smoothness, distinctness, softness, uniformity
• Length, color, luster, weight and strength
• Degree of faults like bark, roots, sticks, specks, knots, runners, watermarks
• Proportion of hard centered fiber, harsh crop ends and cutting

Factors affecting gradation of jute

• Nature of soil, water, rainfall, humidity and topography
• Quality varies from season to season and place to place
• Different practices followed while growing of jute and methods used in retting extraction of fiber, washing, drying and storage