Cotton Output May Drop on Lower Sowing and Crop Damage

17-Sep-2025 08:47 PM

Mumbai. Compared to last year, farmers in top producing states like Gujarat and Maharashtra showed less interest in cotton cultivation this year.

In Maharashtra, maize cultivation was prioritized over cotton, and in Gujarat, peanut cultivation was prioritized. Although cotton acreage increased in some states, the total national production area declined by 2.84 lakh hectares from last year's 112.48 lakh hectares to 109.64 lakh hectares as of September 12th this year. The cotton sowing campaign is almost over.

Compared to last year, cotton production area in Gujarat declined by 2.84 lakh hectares from 23.67 lakh hectares to 20.83 lakh hectares this time, while in Maharashtra, the sowing area declined by 2.37 lakh hectares from 40.82 lakh hectares to 38.45 lakh hectares this year.

Of interest is the fact that Maharashtra cultivates cotton on almost twice the area as Gujarat, yet Gujarat still surpasses Maharashtra in this important industrial fiber crop due to its relatively higher average cotton yield.

In all three states, cotton crops are also being reported to have been damaged by natural disasters such as floods and rain.

Cotton crops have also been damaged in Telangana, the third-largest cotton producing state. Furthermore, heavy rains and waterlogging in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have also damaged the crop. Overall, domestic cotton production is expected to decline this year, similar to the previous two years.

The government has already exempted cotton imports from duty until December 31, 2025, which is expected to lead to significant imports into the country.

Meanwhile, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), a government agency, is making vigorous preparations to procure cotton from Indian farmers at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). A robust arrival of new cotton is expected next month.