Sharp Decline in Cotton Acreage; Cotton Prices Firm Up

02-Jul-2026 07:35 PM

New Delhi. Cotton sowing is lagging significantly behind last year's levels across almost all major producing states in the country. Consequently, the national sowing area reached 29.66 lakh hectares by June 25, marking a shortfall of 15.70 lakh hectares compared to the 45.36 lakh hectares sown during the same period last year.

Acreage plummeted from 24.79 lakh hectares to 7.27 lakh hectares in Maharashtra and dropped from 14 lakh hectares to 6.84 lakh hectares in Gujarat. Significant declines in cotton sowing areas have also been observed in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Sowing progress remains unsatisfactory in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh as well.

In light of the sharp drop in India's cotton acreage, international cotton prices have begun to firm up, driving an improvement in domestic market prices. As the deadline for duty-free cotton imports into India extends until October 31, the textile industry and traders are importing large quantities from abroad.