Cotton imports set to surge amid falling domestic output

12-Nov-2025 11:50 AM

Mumbai. With domestic production stagnating at a 17-year low and the government suspending customs duties, cotton imports into India are expected to increase rapidly. India is the second largest producer and consumer of cotton in the world after China.

The increase in imports into India is expected to improve cotton prices in the global market, which are currently at a six-month low.

The President of the Cotton Association of India (CAI), a leading trade organization, states that cotton imports into the country are expected to increase by approximately 10 percent to around 4.5 million bales during the current marketing season (October-September) of 2025-26.

Of this, approximately 3 million bales are expected to be imported in the current quarter of October-September 2025.

It is worth noting that the government has made cotton imports duty-free until December 31, 2025. According to the organization, during the marketing season 2024-25, cotton imports in the country jumped sharply to 41 lakh bales, which was the highest level in recent years. Cotton is mainly imported into India from the US, Brazil, Australia and Africa.

According to the association, cotton is currently available at a very cheap price in the international market, due to which textile mills are showing tremendous activity in its import. Textile mills want to ensure the import of maximum quantity of cotton before 31 December 2025.