Cotton Production Slips: Farmers’ Diversification Presses Down Output Amid Price Gains and Government Backing

Cotton Production Slips: Farmers’ Diversification Presses Down Output Amid Price Gains and Government Backing​

Cotton Acreage Declines as Productivity Remains Stable in Indian Crops​

Cotton production in India has seen a reduction trend over recent seasons, reflecting changes in farm practices and acreage allocation. The provisional data for 2025-26 shows cotton output reaching 290.91 lakh bales, down from 352.48 lakh bales recorded in the 2020-21 season.

This variation in total production is primarily attributed to farmers diversifying into other remunerative crops, leading to a decrease in dedicated cotton acreage. Despite this reduction in land area, cotton productivity has maintained relative stability across the period, fluctuating between 428 and 451 kg/hectare.

For instance, while the production stood at 325.22 lakh bales during 2023-24 (on 126.88 lakh hectares), it dropped further to 297.24 lakh bales in 2024-25 on 114.84 lakh hectares. The projected figure for 2025-26 shows production at 290.91 lakh bales.

Market Conditions and Government Support Bolster Textile Industry​

The cotton market has been supported by rising prices both domestically and internationally. International cotton prices have increased by approximately 19%, while domestic (S-6 variety) cotton prices saw a robust increase of around 18%.

To ensure adequate supply, the government has implemented several measures to support the domestic textile industry. This includes exempting the 11% import duty on raw cotton for imports conducted between June 01, 2026, and October 31, 2026.

Furthermore, a five-year Mission for Cotton Productivity (Kapas Kanti) has been approved by the government. This mission, spanning from 2026-27 to 2030-31, carries an outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore aimed at improving cotton quality and productivity.

Raw Material Imports Reflect High Demand​

Imports of both raw cotton and cotton yarn are being undertaken as necessary to augment domestic availability in the textile sector. The import statistics show significant movement in these materials across recent years.

In 2024-2025, imports of raw cotton amounted to 562,224.70 Tonne. This figure contrasts sharply with the imports noted for 2013-14. However, the import of raw cotton surged by 80.26% in the subsequent year (2025-2026), reaching 1,013,455.16 Tonne.

The imports of cotton yarn also showed a strong increase between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, rising by 19.96% to reach 9,074.13 Tonne, reflecting high industry demand.

Outlook and Monitoring of Domestic Availability​

The overall cotton availability in the country remains sufficient to meet the requirements of the domestic textile industry when considering imports and existing stocks. Estimated production, carry-over stocks, and necessary imports are continuously monitored to align with projected consumption needs.

This comprehensive assessment was provided by the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, in a written reply to a query raised in Rajya Sabha. The details offered paint a clear picture of the current state of cotton production amidst fluctuating acreage but steady productivity.