We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry.
We focus on grains and food industry. current time
Cotton Prices Remain Strong as Harvest Gathers Pace
Raw cotton prices from the new Kharif crop are holding firm in several major producing regions, even as international markets remain volatile. Early arrivals have begun in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, but volumes are still limited.
In key markets such as Raichur, Bellary, Adoni and Yemmiganur, raw cotton is currently trading at around ₹9,200–9,500 per quintal, depending largely on moisture levels. These prices are comfortably above the Minimum Support Price (MSP) fixed for the 2026-27 cotton marketing season. The government has set the MSP at ₹8,267 per quintal for medium-staple cotton and ₹8,667 per quintal for long-staple varieties.
The present price trend suggests that cotton could continue to command rates above MSP, although international movements remain an important factor. ICE Cotton Futures have declined to around 87 cents per pound from nearly 93 cents earlier in the week. The fall has prompted multinational companies operating in India to reduce their purchase quotations by around ₹2,000 per candy of 356 kg. The Cotton Corporation of India, however, has retained its existing price levels. Despite lower offers from private buyers, trading activity remains subdued.
The weakness in demand is particularly visible in the yarn market. Spinning mills and other buyers holding sufficient inventories are largely staying on the sidelines, waiting for clearer signals on demand and prices. This cautious approach has limited buying interest even as cotton prices remain relatively strong.
Gujarat has also begun receiving small quantities of the new crop. Prices there are currently around ₹1,900–2,000 per maund of 20 kg. However, the main arrival season is expected to begin later than usual. Delayed sowing has pushed the crop cycle back by more than a month, with arrivals likely to increase from early November.
At present, weekly arrivals of new-crop cotton are estimated at nearly 50,000 bales, each weighing 170 kg. This volume could rise to around one lakh bales a week over the next two weeks as harvesting gathers pace.
Weather will remain another key factor for the crop. Further rainfall in the producing regions could improve yields, with one or two additional spells considered beneficial at this stage.
Despite the delayed arrivals, the overall cotton acreage remains broadly stable. Agriculture Ministry data as of September 4 put cotton coverage at 109.17 lakh hectares, only marginally below the 109.87 lakh hectares recorded during the corresponding period last year.
