The rupee opened 02 paise lower at 90.67 per dollar.Indian rupee opened flat at 90.67 per dollar on Tuesday versus previous close of 90.65.read more :- America's deal: expansion of economic interests
US trade agreement: the strategy behind the termsThe new reciprocal trade agreement signed between Dhaka and Washington on February 9 was initially considered a major diplomatic success. But now there is growing confusion and concern over the “cotton segment” in Bangladesh’s $47 billion apparel industry. This provision states that reciprocal tariff exemption will be available only if the apparel is made from American cotton or man-made fibers.Under the agreement, a 19 percent reciprocal tariff has been imposed on Bangladeshi apparel in addition to the already applicable MFN duty of about 16.5 percent. In case of no relief, the total fee reaches 35.5 percent. The government says that the 19 percent tariff on clothes made from American raw materials will be removed, but the industry argues that the basic duty will still be applicable.BGMEA President Mahmood Hasan Khan clarified that the pre-agreement fees will not be waived. He says that even after getting concession, exporters will have to pay 16.5 percent duty, due to which the cost will remain high. Also, the agreement sets a “specified quantity” limit, which will depend on the amount of raw materials imported from the US.Analysts and think-tank experts believe that the language of the agreement is vague and many technical aspects are not clear. If competing countries like India also get similar benefits, Bangladesh's competitive edge may weaken. In such a situation, it is necessary for the government to clarify the terms of the agreement, otherwise this much talked about deal may fail to provide the expected security.read more :- The rupee closed 05 paise lower against the dollar at 90.65.
On Monday, the Indian rupee closed at 90.65 against the dollar, compared to its opening rate of 90.60.At close, the Sensex was up 650.39 points or 0.79 percent at 83,277.15, and the Nifty was up 211.65 points or 0.83 percent at 25,682.75. About 1676 shares advanced, 2443 shares declined, and 181 shares unchanged.read more :- Textile industry will be strengthened with the cooperation of OUTR
OUTR signs pact to boost state’s handloom & textiles sectorBhubaneswar: Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state directorate of textiles to collaborate on research, technology transfer, capacity building and innovation in the handloom and textiles sector.The three-year agreement was signed at the inauguration of the ‘Grand Toshali Swadeshi Mela’ on Saturday evening, in the presence of deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo.OUTR vice-chancellor Bibhuti Bhusan Biswal said, “The MoU focuses on technology upgradation, improving product quality and training programmes for weavers and other stakeholders. It includes setting up quality testing and standardisation facilities, supporting market linkages, developing sustainable and eco-friendly processes and materials, and documenting traditional textile knowledge and practices.”“The collaboration will cover joint research projects in loom technology, dyeing and quality control. Student internships, field projects and final-year projects will be facilitated with weaver clusters and production centres,” he added.Other areas include the development of tools, devices and processes to improve productivity, reduce drudgery and enhance product quality, design interventions combining traditional motifs with contemporary aesthetics, and capacity-building initiatives through workshops, seminars and skill development programmes, official sources said.The agreement provides for documentation of traditional knowledge, preparation of technical literature and case studies, consultancy and advisory services, and resource sharing of infrastructure, laboratories and expertise.read more :- Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches new cotton harvesting machine in MP
MP News: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches cotton harvesting machineBhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dedicated a cotton harvesting machine to farmers at ICAR - Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE) in Bhopal, on the occasion of Mahashivratri.The minister said that until now, cotton picking had to be done manually, which required more time, labour and higher costs. Farmers had long demanded a machine to make cotton harvesting easier and this demand has now been fulfilled.He personally observed the cotton harvesting process using the machine. He said the new technology would save time, reduce costs and make cotton farming more profitable.The minister also stated that efforts are underway to develop new disease-resistant cotton varieties with higher yield. Work is also being done to increase the number of plants per acre to help boost farmers’ income.read more :- Rupee opened 04 paise stronger at 90.60 per dollar
Rupee opens 04 paise up at 90.60/USD Indian rupee opened with marginal gains at 90.60 per dollar on Monday against Friday's close of 90.64.read more :- CCI Cotton Sales Details 2025-26
State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details – 2025-26 SeasonThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) reduced its cotton prices by ₹1,400 - ₹1,700 per candy this week for the 2025-26 season. So far, approximately 3,90,600 cotton bales have been sold by CCI during the 2025-26 season. Sales are highly concentrated in a few major cotton-producing states, Maharashtra and Gujarat emerging as the leading contributors.
CCI Decrease Cotton Prices by ₹1,400 to ₹1,700 per Candy; Weekly Auction Sales Near 28,700 BalesThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) reduced its cotton prices by ₹1,400 to ₹1,700 per candy during the week ending February 13, 2026. Despite the price cut, the agency continued its regular e-auctions from February 9 to February 13 across multiple centers, recording total weekly sales of around 28,700 bales from the ongoing 2025–26 season, with participation from both mills and traders.Daily Sales Report February 9, 2026: The week began with robust demand, with 23,300 bales sold from 2025-26 season. Mills dominated purchases with 18,900 bales, while traders bought 4,400 bales.February 10, 2026: Sales declined sharply to 3,900 bales, including 2,100 bales bought by mills and 1,800 bales by traders all from current season.February 11, 2026: Sales further dropped to 1,500 bales for season 2025-26, with mills purchasing 1,000 bales and traders accounting for 500 bales.February 12–13, 2026: No sales were recorded in CCI’s online auctions for either the 2025–26 or 2024–25 seasons, indicating weak demand toward the end of the week.Cumulative sales :Following the latest auctions, CCI’s total sales reached:3,90,600 bales for the 2025–26 season, and98,82,400 bales for the 2024–25 season.
Centre Government Strengthens Cotton Supply Chain through MSP & E-AuctionsNew Delhi: The government facilitates the availability of cotton to the domestic textile and spinning industries through the release of stocks procured by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) under Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, said Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.These stocks are sold through a transparent online e-auction system to enable competitive price discovery. MSP for cotton is declared annually to safeguard farmers’ interests when market prices fall below the support level and to ensure sustained cotton production.To enhance cotton productivity, quality and farmer incomes, several policy and programmatic interventions have been undertaken, the Minister said. A five-year Mission for Cotton Productivity was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26, with the Department of Agricultural Research & Education as the nodal department and the Ministry of Textiles as a partner. The mission focuses on strengthening cotton production through research and extension, including the development of climate-resilient, pest-resistant and high-yielding varieties, including Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, using advanced breeding and biotechnology tools.In addition, a Special Project on Cotton under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) has been implemented since 2023–24 through ICAR-CICR, Nagpur, in convergence with the Ministry of Textiles. To strengthen MSP operations, CCI has expanded its procurement network from 508 centres in 2024–25 to 571 centres in 2025–26, covering 150 districts across 11 cotton-growing States. During the 2024–25 cotton season, CCI procured 100.16 lakh bales valued at Rs 37,437 crore. In 2025–26 (as on 5 February 2026), 90.97 lakh bales valued at Rs 36,355 crore have been procured.read more :- India-US cotton trade booms during Trump tenure
India-US cotton trade booms during Trump eraIndia’s cotton trade with the US strengthened during US President Donald Trump’s first term, with New Delhi emerging as a larger buyer of American cotton compared with earlier years, according to a Moneycontrol analysis of trade data.India’s share of US cotton exports expanded from 1.5 percent in 2014 to 4.7 percent in 2016, around the time Trump assumed office. The trend continued upward, with India’s share reaching 6 percent in 2017 and peaking at 7.7 percent by 2019.However, pandemic disruptions later pushed India’s share back to about 3 percent, where it has broadly stabilised in recent years.A similar pattern is visible in India’s import reliance on American cotton. The US's share of India’s cotton imports climbed sharply to 47.9 percent in 2017 and 53.2 percent in 2018, before easing gradually as sourcing diversified. By 2024, the US accounted for about 19.3 percent of India’s cotton imports, suggesting reduced dependence but continued trade engagement.Despite the moderation, India remains a significant destination for American cotton. In 2024, India was the seventh-largest importer of US raw cotton, buying roughly $209 million worth, only slightly below Bangladesh’s imports. China, Pakistan and Vietnam were the largest buyers that year.Trade flows could shift again if the proposed interim India–US trade agreement materialises. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has indicated that Indian textile exporters may receive a zero-reciprocal-duty window for garments made using US cotton, a move that could incentivise greater sourcing of American fibre.The development comes amid intensifying competition from Bangladesh, which has already secured favourable access to US markets and ranks among the top importers of US cotton. Earlier Moneycontrol analysis suggested that about one-fourth of India’s cotton trade — roughly $1.5 billion — could face competitive pressure if Bangladesh enjoys more favourable trade terms.The next phase of negotiations between New Delhi and Washington could therefore play a decisive role in shaping future cotton trade patterns.read more :- Crisis on ginning industry, Pradeep Jain's alert
Over 150 Ginning Factories in Khandesh Face Closure Next Year, Warns Pradeep Jain The cotton industry in Khandesh is staring at a major crisis, with over 150 ginning factories at risk of shutting down next year due to plummeting cotton prices and halted exports, warned Pradeep Jain, founder-president of the Khandesh Ginning Prasingh Karkhandar Sangh, in a statement to FPJ today.Farmers are struggling as cotton prices have crashed, exports remain suspended, and income from the crop has dwindled. “Ginners cannot afford to pay more than ₹7,400–₹7,500 per quintal,” Jain said. “If this situation continues, the ginning industry in Khandesh will come to a standstill.”Khandesh—comprising Jalgaon, Dhule, and Nandurbar districts—is Maharashtra’s leading cotton-producing region, yielding about 15 lakh bales annually. The local economy depends heavily on this sector, with thousands of jobs tied directly and indirectly to ginning operations.However, this year’s heavy rains have severely impacted production. So far, only 5.5 to 6 lakh bales have been ginned, while another 2.5 lakh bales remain unsold with farmers waiting for better prices.Adding to the woes, cotton exports are currently halted while nearly 40 lakh bales of imported cotton are lying in domestic stockpiles, worsening the internal market scenario. Although farmers seek higher returns, traders maintain they cannot pay beyond ₹7,500 per quintal, bringing procurement to a halt.Cotton arrivals in markets have dropped sharply as farmers hold back their produce. Meanwhile, wholesale cotton prices have fallen from ₹56,000 to ₹53,000 per candy, with global demand also weakening.“The current market stagnation is unsustainable. If farmers continue to face poor prices, they will cut down on cotton cultivation next year—forcing ginning factories across Khandesh to shut down,” Jain cautioned.read more :-
*India to Gain US Duty-Free Access for Garments Made with American Cotton: Piyush Goyal*India will receive concessional duty access to the United States for garments manufactured using American yarn and cotton under the proposed interim trade agreement with Washington, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said.Speaking on the sidelines of a start-up event on Thursday, Goyal indicated that India would secure treatment comparable to that currently extended to Bangladesh under its trade arrangements with the US. He stated that whatever benefits Bangladesh had obtained would also be incorporated into India’s final agreement.India and the US have finalised a framework for the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement, which is expected to be implemented in March. According to the minister, the framework would translate into detailed provisions once the interim agreement is formally concluded.Under the proposed arrangement, Indian companies sourcing yarn from the US to manufacture garments for re-export to the American market would receive duty-free access, mirroring the concessions available to Bangladeshi exporters. Goyal said this provision formed part of the US-Bangladesh agreement and would similarly feature in India’s pact. He added that the move would have no adverse impact on Indian cotton farmers.He further clarified that there would be no quota restrictions on the import of raw materials such as cotton. The US-Bangladesh reciprocal trade pact currently allows tariff-free exports of apparel and textiles to the US if manufacturers use American-produced cotton or man-made fibre inputs.At present, Bangladesh-made garments face a 31% levy in the US market, comprising a 12% most-favoured-nation-plus duty and a 19% reciprocal tariff. When US fibres are used, the duty falls to 12%. Under the bilateral pact, Washington is set to lower reciprocal tariffs on Bangladesh to 19% from 20%, narrowing the tariff differential between New Delhi and Dhaka to one percentage point.Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest garment manufacturer and remains a key competitor to India in the US textile and apparel market, alongside China and Vietnam.Goyal noted that India was targeting a trade figure of US $ 50 billion under the agreement. He also observed that American businesses were increasingly viewing India as a trusted partner in global supply chains.read more:- The rupee closed 02 paise higher at 90.64 against the dollar.
On Friday, the Indian rupee closed 02 paise higher at 90.64 against the dollar, after opening at 90.66.At close, the Sensex was down 1,048.16 points or 1.25 percent at 82,626.76, and the Nifty was down 336.10 points or 1.30 percent at 25,471.10. About 1236 shares advanced, 2784 shares declined, and 148 shares unchanged.read more :- India can get benefits like Bangladesh on US cotton
India likely to receive Bangladesh-style zero-duty benefits on US cotton.India will receive yarn and cotton-related trade benefits similar to those extended to Bangladesh, the Commerce Ministry said, signaling a potential boost for the country’s textile and apparel exporters.According to the ministry, Indian textile and apparel exporters are expected to get zero-tariff benefits on garments made using US-origin cotton once the deal is signed. The move is seen as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral trade ties between India and the United States while ensuring competitive parity with regional players.The clarification comes amid political sparring over the trade deal. Responding to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said allegations that Bangladesh had secured better terms were incorrect.“He spread another lie in the Parliament that Bangladesh has got more benefits from the trade than India. Just as Bangladesh has a facility that if raw material is purchased from America, then if you process it and make cloth and export it, then it will.Goyal also reiterated that domestic agricultural interests have been protected under the broader arrangement. “Around 90% to 95% of farm products produced in India have been left out of the South Asian nation's trade deal with the US, in which the interests of farmers have been protected,” he said.read more :- Rupee opens 06 paise down at 90.66
Rupee opens 06 paise lower at 90.66/USD Indian rupee opened marginally lower at 90.66 per dollar on Friday versus previous close of 90.60.
Raichur MP G. Kumar Naik flags concerns over surge in cotton import, seeks stronger policy support for domestic growersExpressing concern over the declining domestic cotton production and rising imports, G. Kumar Naik, Lok Sabha Member from Raichur, has urged the Union Government to adopt a stable and farmer-centric cotton policy to protect growers in Karnataka and across India.On February 11, Mr. Naik said the data furnished by the Ministry of Textiles, in response to his starred question in the Lok Sabha revealed a worrying trend. Cotton imports into India increased by 39% in volume between 2020-21 and 2024-25 while domestic production declined sharply from 370 lakh bales in 2017-18 to 297.24 lakh bales in 2024-25.He said the simultaneous fall in production and productivity indicated ‘structural stress’ in the sector, and warned that policy inconsistency was undermining domestic farmers.Mr. Naik pointed out that cotton prices crashed in 2025 after the government removed import duty on cotton at a time when the country was facing global tariff pressure. He noted that cotton exports from the United States to India surged by over 200% between 2023-24 and 2024-25 while imports from Brazil rose by more than 1,000% during the same period.“India remains the world’s second-largest cotton producer after China, with Brazil close behind. Yet, we are increasingly depending on imports while our own farmers struggle with falling prices and rising input costs,” he said.He cautioned that if the current trajectory continues, India risks becoming heavily dependent on cotton imports, which could weaken domestic producers and compromise long-term agricultural security.Highlighting Karnataka’s performance, Mr. Naik said the State recorded the highest cotton yield in the southern zone, above the national average. Raichur, Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts in the Kalyana Karnataka region had significant potential for expansion, provided sustained institutional support and investment were ensured.Referring to the Cotton Mission for Farmers, for which ₹500 crore was allocated in the 2025-26 Union Budget, Mr. Naik said the initiative did not find mention in the current year’s allocations. This, he said, raised concerns that the programme remained largely on paper without meaningful field-level implementation.“India cannot claim global leadership in cotton production while allowing its own farmers to bear the burden of inconsistent trade and agricultural policy,” he said, calling for a comprehensive and stable cotton strategy that safeguards domestic growers and strengthens long-term self-reliance.Cotton is a major crop in Raichur and several adjoining districts of north Karnataka. Thousands of farmers depend on the crop for their livelihood.read more :- India's GDP growth expected to be 6.9% in 2026: Goldman Sachs
| title | Created At | Action |
|---|---|---|
| The rupee opened 02 paise lower at 90.67/USD. | 17-02-2026 17:26:06 | view |
| America's deal: expansion of economic interests | 17-02-2026 01:26:10 | view |
| The rupee closed 05 paise lower against the dollar at 90.65. | 16-02-2026 22:41:46 | view |
| Textile industry will be strengthened with the cooperation of OUTR | 16-02-2026 19:04:15 | view |
| Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches new cotton harvesting machine in MP | 16-02-2026 18:46:32 | view |
| Rupee opened 04 paise stronger at 90.60 per dollar | 16-02-2026 17:31:12 | view |
| CCI Cotton Sales Details 2025-26 | 14-02-2026 22:20:34 | view |
| Sale of 28,700 bales in weekly auction | 14-02-2026 18:45:48 | view |
| Cotton supply strengthened by MSP and e-auction | 14-02-2026 18:37:00 | view |
| India-US cotton trade booms during Trump tenure | 14-02-2026 18:24:50 | view |
| Crisis on ginning industry, Pradeep Jain's alert | 14-02-2026 18:14:22 | view |
| Textile exports to be boosted, no duty imposed in US | 14-02-2026 00:58:47 | view |
| The rupee closed 02 paise higher at 90.64 against the dollar. | 13-02-2026 22:43:49 | view |
| India can get benefits like Bangladesh on US cotton | 13-02-2026 18:24:25 | view |
| Rupee opens 06 paise down at 90.66 | 13-02-2026 17:35:17 | view |
| MP on increasing cotton imports. Kumar Naik expressed concern | 13-02-2026 00:02:09 | view |
