Robust 130% Surge in Cotton Imports in 2025

27-Mar-2026 03:25 PM

Mumbai: Compared to 2024, India witnessed a robust increase in cotton imports from abroad during 2025—rising by 130% in terms of volume and 92.5% in terms of value. Factors such as lower domestic production and soft global market prices provided Indian buyers with a strong incentive to boost cotton imports from various countries.

In 2025, a significant decline in the average import price of cotton caused import volumes to surge, reaching exceptionally high levels. Indian importers continued to procure cotton not only from traditional supplier nations but also from several new exporting countries.

Consequently, Brazil emerged as the leading supplier of cotton, surpassing even Australia to secure the top spot in terms of cotton exports to India.

Since domestic production of high-quality, long-staple cotton in India is limited, the textile industry frequently needs to import substantial quantities of it from abroad. Imports tend to rise even further when global market prices remain soft.