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ICE Cotton Futures Rise on US Dry Weather WorriesICE cotton futures closed higher on Wednesday as ongoing dry weather concerns in major US cotton-growing regions, especially West Texas, continued to support bullish market sentiment. Traders remained worried about limited rainfall and increasing moisture stress, which could impact crop development and production prospects. Strong speculative buying also kept prices firm throughout the session.The most-active July 2026 cotton contract settled at 86.81 cents per pound, gaining 0.49 cent and marking its second-highest close of the season, as well as the strongest settlement since April 2024. The December 2026 contract ended at 86.46 cents, up 0.18 cent, also recording one of the highest levels of the current rally.Support for cotton prices also came from rising crude oil values, with oil trading above $100 per barrel. Higher energy prices increase the production cost of polyester and other synthetic fibres, improving the competitiveness of natural fibres like cotton. In addition, growing global interest in sustainable and eco-friendly textile materials continued to provide long-term support to cotton demand.Market participants also discussed the possibility of stronger Chinese demand for US cotton, including market rumours about purchases by the Chinese State Reserve. These expectations added further strength to futures trading.Meanwhile, ICE certified cotton stocks increased by 1,160 bales to 185,378 bales as of May 12. In Brazil, consultancy Safras & Mercado estimated the country’s 2025-26 cotton crop at 3.347 million tonnes, slightly below earlier trade expectations.Broader financial markets also influenced cotton trade. Stronger-than-expected US wholesale inflation data reduced hopes of immediate Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, while geopolitical tensions involving the US and Iran kept commodity markets volatile. However, firm US equity markets and improved investor confidence supported overall risk appetite.Trading activity remained strong, with total cotton futures volume reaching 81,518 contracts. Open interest rose slightly to 335,218 contracts, indicating traders largely maintained bullish positions, while options trading remained active.Traders are now closely watching upcoming USDA Export Sales data, the CFTC On-Call Report, and the weekly Commitment of Traders (COT) Report for fresh market direction. Overall, cotton futures continue to hold a cautiously bullish tone due to weather risks, delayed US planting, firm crude oil prices, and expectations of stronger export demand.READ MORE :- Rising Costs and Global Headwinds Strain Gujarat’s Textile Industry

Rising costs and global challenges are putting pressure on Gujarat's textile industry.Gujarat's textile industry—widely considered the backbone of India's man-made fiber (MMF) sector—is facing one of the most severe financial downturns in its recent history, with Surat, the textile hub of South Gujarat, at the epicenter of the crisis.A combination of geopolitical tensions in West Asia, rising crude oil prices, increasing yarn costs, declining global demand, and increasing trade pressures have pushed the sector into a deep crisis. According to industry estimates, losses of approximately ₹2,500-₹3,000 crore have been incurred in the last 60 days, and many weaving units are now operating at only about half their installed capacity.Surat, one of India's largest textile production centers, is currently facing a "severe crisis" of "increased costs and weak market demand," as described by industry stakeholders. What began as an external shock linked to geopolitical instability has rapidly transformed into a structural strain on the region's textile economy, severely impacting the profits of manufacturers, traders, and related workers.At the root of this crisis is the sharp rise in crude oil prices, which has directly impacted the MMF value chain. Since most synthetic textile production relies heavily on petroleum-derived raw materials, high crude oil rates have significantly increased yarn prices. Despite the significant increase in input costs, market fabric prices have not adjusted proportionately, leading to a widening gap between production costs and realization.According to Ashok Jirawala, President of the Gujarat Weavers Association (FOGWA), many manufacturers are being forced to sell below production costs to continue operations. He explained that the imbalance between rising input costs and stable market prices has become a persistent burden incurring daily losses across the region.READ MORE :- Tirupur Garment Industry Urges Centre to Scrap Cotton Import Duty

Garment Exporters and Manufacturers from Tirupur Demand Removal of Import Duty on CottonA delegation of garment manufacturers and exporters from Tirupur met with the Union Textiles, Agriculture, and Commerce Ministers in New Delhi on Wednesday to demand the removal of the current 11% import duty on cotton.A. Sakthivel, Chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, led the delegation. The delegation met with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, as well as Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan.The delegation highlighted the challenges faced by the apparel and textile industry due to high cotton prices and rising input costs. India has recently signed several free trade agreements (FTAs), creating significant opportunities for increased textile and apparel exports. However, while other apparel exporting countries are able to obtain cotton at internationally competitive prices, Indian manufacturers face high raw material prices due to the current import duty structure.Reduction in import duty on cotton is essential to help the Indian apparel industry gain more trade opportunities from FTA partner countries and enhance India's competitiveness in the global market.The textile industry's cotton requirement for the current year is estimated to be approximately 337 lakh bales, while cotton arrivals for the 2025-2026 season are projected to be only 292.15 lakh bales, resulting in a demand-supply gap of approximately 45 lakh bales. The delegation informed the ministers that this shortage is expected to increase pressure on spinning mills and the downstream textile industry due to rising input costs and limited availability of quality raw materials.READ MORE :-The rupee opened at 95.73 with a fall of 02 paise

The rupee fell by 02 paise to open at 95.73 USDOn Thursday, the Indian rupee opened 02 paise lower at 95.73 against the dollar, while it had closed at 95.71 on Wednesday.Read more :- The rupee closed at 95.71 against the dollar, down 10 paise.

On Wednesday, after opening at 95.61 in morning trade, the Indian rupee fell by 10 paise to close at 95.71 against the US dollar.At the close, the Sensex ended 49.74 points, or 0.07 percent, higher at 74,608.98, while the Nifty rose 33.05 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 23,412.60.Read More :- The rupee opened 02 paise higher at 95.61

The Rupee opened 2 paise higher at 95.61 against the USD.On Wednesday, the Indian Rupee opened at 95.61 against the US Dollar, gaining 2 paise, whereas it had closed at 95.63 on Tuesday.Read More:-  The Rupee closed 13 paise lower against the Dollar at 95.63

On Tuesday, after opening at 95.50 in morning trade, the Indian Rupee fell by 13 paise to close at 95.63 against the US Dollar.At the close, the Sensex stood at 74,559.24, down 1,456.04 points or 1.92 percent, while the Nifty was at 23,379.55, down 436.30 points or 1.83 percent. Market breadth remained sharply negative, with 3,219 shares declining against 875 advances.READ MORE :-  Rupee Opens at 95.50 Down 19 Paise

Rupee Opens at 95.50 Against the Dollar, Down 19 PaiseOn Tuesday, the Indian Rupee opened at 95.50 against the US Dollar a decline of 19 paise whereas it had closed at 95.31 on Monday.READ MORE :- The rupee ended 43 paise lower at 95.31 against the dollar.

On Monday, the Indian Rupee declined by 43 paise to close at 95.31 against the US dollar, after opening at 94.88 in morning trade.Stock market crashes today: Sensex tumbles over 1,312 points, Nifty dips 360.30 points to 23,815.85 amid heavy selling in realty and consumer stocksread more :- Cotton Productivity Mission: Proper Implementation, Better Results

Cotton Productivity Mission: The Key to Success Lies in Effective ImplementationIndia’s ₹5,659 crore Cotton Productivity Mission has been launched at a time when the country’s cotton economy is grappling with severe agricultural and industrial challenges. Steadily declining yields, rising pest infestations, and shrinking acreage have weakened a crop that was once considered the backbone of rural income and India’s textile industry. In this context, this initiative by the Centre is not merely a plan to boost production, but also an endeavor to restore the confidence of farmers who have gradually drifted away from cotton cultivation. For states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, this mission holds particular significance.In the Malwa region of Punjab, cotton was once a reliable cash crop. However, recurrent attacks by whiteflies and pink bollworms, weather uncertainties, and rising cultivation costs have driven farmers back toward paddy cultivation—a practice that is already exacerbating the groundwater crisis. The shrinking acreage under cotton in North India clearly reflects the fact that farmers today are struggling amidst environmental instability and economic insecurity.The mission’s emphasis on climate-resilient seed varieties, high-density planting techniques, modern ginning infrastructure, and extra-long staple cotton is undoubtedly a positive step. If India aspires to become a leader in the global textile industry, it must reduce its dependence on premium-quality imported cotton. The comprehensive strategy—spanning "Farm to Fibre, Fashion, and Foreign Markets"—acknowledges the fact that agriculture and manufacturing are deeply intertwined.However, the true success of this mission will hinge upon its effective implementation at the grassroots level. Farmers require timely access to quality seeds, affordable credit, scientific pest management, and a crop insurance mechanism that offers genuine protection rather than getting bogged down in bureaucratic formalities. If farmers are to be drawn back to cotton cultivation, restoring trust in the procurement mechanism will be equally essential. In states grappling with water crises—such as Punjab and Haryana—the resurgence of cotton cultivation could prove instrumental in reducing dependence on paddy and conserving groundwater. However, if this mission, too, remains confined to mere paper plans and sluggish coordination, the country will once again find itself trapped in the very cycle of despair that previously compelled farmers to abandon cotton farming.read more :- Tamil Nadu: Farmers Concerned Over Continuous Rain in Nagapattinam District

Continuous Rains in Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, Heighten Concerns for Cotton FarmersContinuous summer rains over the past three days in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu, have adversely affected cotton cultivation in several areas of the Thirumarugal block. With rainwater inundating their fields, farmers are increasingly apprehensive about potential crop damage.According to reports, incessant rain has been falling since midnight in Thirumarugal, Alathur, Eravancheri, Marungur, Neikuppai, Thirukannapuram, Ambal, Polagam, and surrounding regions. Heavy summer showers have been recorded across various parts of the district over the last three days.Farmers in the Thirumarugal block had undertaken extensive cotton sowing as a summer crop. The crop is currently in the crucial flowering and boll formation stage. However, many farmers have not yet been able to complete the task of earthing up (mounding soil around the plants) in their fields. Due to the continuous rainfall, water has accumulated in numerous fields, thereby hindering the growth of the cotton plants.Cotton farmer R. Shiva stated, "Due to the rains, the flowers on the cotton plants are shedding, which could lead to a drastic decline in yield."Another farmer, P. Kathir, warned that if water remains stagnant in the fields for an extended period, the plant roots could rot, potentially causing severe financial losses for the farmers. He further cautioned that the extent of the damage could escalate if the rains persist in this manner.read more :- CCI Hikes Cotton Candy Price by ₹4,100; Auction Crosses 5.85 Lakh Bales