Cotton Imports Expected to Reach a Record 5 Million Bales

09-Dec-2025 11:02 AM

New Delhi. Although a leading trade body has increased India’s cotton production estimate by 400,000 bales and reduced domestic consumption estimates by 1.9 million bales, it has projected that cotton imports could surge to a new record level of 5 million bales. Each bale of cotton weighs 170 kg. According to the Cotton Association of India (CAI), the country imported nearly 4.1 million bales of cotton during the 2024–25 marketing season (October–September), which is expected to rise to 5 million bales in the 2025–26 season.

India has already announced that cotton imports will remain completely duty-free until 31 December 2025. Meanwhile, global supply and availability conditions remain favourable, leading to softer prices in international markets. Indian importers are capitalising on this favourable situation and importing large quantities of cotton from countries including the United States, Brazil, and Australia.

According to the Association, during October–November last year, cotton imports stood at 880,000 bales. In the same period of the current season, imports have more than doubled to 1.8 million bales. Imports are expected to rise sharply in December as well, and even if import duties are imposed afterward, inflows from overseas may continue because international prices are not expected to rise significantly in the near term. Meanwhile, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is procuring large quantities of cotton directly from farmers.