India's Costly Cotton Spurs Rise in ImportsYes, the price of Indian cotton is relatively high in the world market, and hence India has had to increase the import of cotton. Cotton imports have increased significantly in the last few months.Description:High prices:Since the prices of Indian cotton are higher than other countries in the global market, India has to import cotton at a higher price.Increase in imports :India's cotton imports have increased rapidly recently. For example, imports reached $184.64 million in January 2025, up from $19.62 million in January 2024.Reduction in production:Cotton production in India is likely to decline, due to which imports are increasing.Domestic use:Cotton consumption is high in India and due to low production, imports have to be increased to meet the demand for domestic consumption.Global Market:In the global market, the cotton market was valued at US$41.78 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach US$42.92 billion in 2025.Example:India's cotton imports reached $104 million in August 2024 and further increased to $184.64 million in January 2025.India's cotton imports are projected to reach 2.5 million bales in the marketing year 2024-25, up from 1.75 million bales last year.Conclusion:India has been forced to increase cotton imports due to the high price of Indian cotton in the world market and low domestic production.India's cotton imports riseMarch 10, 2025 — India's cotton imports have risen significantly in recent months, reaching $104 million in August 2024 and rising to $184.64 million in January 2025...Cotton production at 15-year low, know what is its price. ..October 23, 2024 — Changes in imports and exports India's cotton imports are expected to rise to 2.5 million bales in the marketing year 2024-25 from 1.75 million bales in the previous year.read more :-Cotton University receives prestigious PAIR grant
Cotton University Awarded Prestigious PAIR GrantGuwahati: Cotton University has received the prestigious PAIR grant from the National Research Foundation for Research. The grant, shared among six institutions, has made JNU the hub institution, while Cotton University, Tezpur University, Central University of Punjab, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University and Berhampur University have been given the status of spoke institutions.Cotton University has been allocated around Rs 14 crore under the five-year PAIR programme. The funding includes three sophisticated research instruments - a 400 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer, photoluminescence spectrophotometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS).According to Cotton University, these advanced instruments will enhance their research capabilities, especially in material science and chemical/biological analysis. Through this collaboration, the university will also benefit from access to advanced research infrastructure and specialist expertise at JNU and other partner institutions.A release from Cotton University on Thursday said, "The PAIR grants, aimed at promoting collaborative and high-impact research in India's leading institutions, were awarded following a rigorous multi-stage selection process held at the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru, and overseen by ANRF on March 7-8, 2025. Out of the 30 hub institutions shortlisted for presentations based on their excellent NIRF rankings, only seven were finally selected, judged on the merit of their presentations and demonstrated research excellence." This grant represents a significant achievement for Cotton University, its first major national research grant since receiving 'A' grade NAAC accreditation in September 2024. The university submitted a successful proposal involving 11 major research projects in three interdisciplinary areas - advanced materials, molecular and synthetic biology, and environmental sustainability. These projects involve 22 faculty members from seven science departments. Dr. Abdul Wahab led the proposal and collaborative structure as the Principal Investigator from Cotton University, and Professor Ramesh Choudhary Deka, Vice Chancellor of Cotton University provided strategic direction and support.read more :- Punjab farmers may cut cotton acreage despite artificial intelligence-driven project to control pest attacks
Punjab Farmers May Slash Cotton Acreage Despite AI Pest Control ProjectCotton acreage in Punjab has declined significantly over the years – from 2.68 lakh hectares (lh) in 2018-19 to 0.97 lh in 2024-25There has been some reduction in cases of pest attacks after a pilot project was launched last season to monitor and control pink bollworm (PBW) infestation in cotton crop in Punjab.But, the response from farmers is mixed, as some of them have complained that it did not help control PBW. As a result, they suffered losses. However, there is unanimity among them to reduce cotton acreage, partly due to PBW and mainly due to unavailability of water.“Though the machine helped us get timely alerts, PBW could not be controlled even after spray,” said Beant Singh, a farmer from Sri Muktsar Sahib district. He said they will reduce the area under cotton to 5-6 acres this year from the earlier 15-16 acres, mainly because of PBW and also water problem. He said the yield has dropped significantly, reducing their profit as they are cultivating land on lease.Significant drop in acreageOn the other hand, Roop Singh from Faridkot district said they are planning to reduce cotton acreage to 6-7 acres from last year’s 15 acres due to water availability, but he praised the government’s pilot project which helped manage PBW and also reduced their expenditure on pesticides.The area under cotton in Punjab has declined substantially in the last few years – from 2.68 lakh hectares (LH) in 2018-19 to 0.97 LH in 2024-25, resulting in a reduction in production also from 12.22 lakh bales (each of 170 kg) to 2.72 lakh bales. The main reason for the increase in PBW, a highly destructive pest of cotton, is the piling up of cotton crop residues near the fields.This increases the level of infestation, especially when cotton stalks, closed bolls and lint residues are piled up near agricultural fields, allowing the larvae to survive through diapause and emerge in large numbers during the next crop season.Pilot evaluationAs per the evaluation of the project results, the implementation helped in significantly improving pest identification, management efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional methods – reduction in pesticide use by 38.6 per cent while PBW damage was kept under control and yield increased by 18.54 per cent compared to conventional methods, highlighting the potential of Al traps to enhance cotton productivity while reducing chemical dependency.CICR deployed its own Al-based smart pheromone trap technology to overcome the limitations of conventional traps. The smart trap system comprises a single-board computer, a camera module, a weather sensor and a GSM transmitter, all powered by a solar panel with a rechargeable battery. According to Prasanta Kumar Dash, Assistant Director General of ICAR, a control unit triggers the camera module fixed on the ground at hourly intervals to capture photographs of trapped pests.Early Warning SystemThe system optimizes and transmits the combined data (trapping pictures and related weather parameters) to a remote server via a 4G GSM/Wi-Fi module. An Al-powered machine learning algorithm (YOLO) then processes the images, counts the trapped pests, and delivers the analyzed data along with relevant weather information to end users via a mobile or PC application.By correlating the real-time trappings with weather data, pest dynamics over a wide area can be better understood. This helps in the development of reliable pest early warning systems and improved pest management practices in cotton cultivation, according to the evaluation report of the pilot project. The scientists emphasized that real-time monitoring is essential for devising timely and cost-effective management strategies to control PBW. They said timely pest alerts and advisories to farmers helped in keeping the losses below the economic threshold level (ETL)read more :-Weekly Summary Report : Cotton Bales Sold by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)
Weekly Cotton Bale Sales Summary – CCICotton Corporation of India (CCI) conducted online bidding for cotton bales throughout the week, with the daily sales summary being as follows:15 April 2025: A total of 97,500 bales were sold, including 51,800 bales in the Mills session and 45,700 bales in the Traders session.16 April 2025: CCI recorded sales of 63,900 bales, including 37,900 bales in the Mills session and 26,000 bales in the Traders session.17 April 2025: The week ended with sales of 37,200 bales, of which 23,400 bales were sold from the Mills session and 13,800 bales in the Traders session.Weekly Total: During the week, CCI sold 1,98,600 (approx.) cotton bales, successfully using its online bidding platform to streamline transactions and support trading.read more :- Study reveals region-specific benefits of organic cotton farming in India
Organic Cotton Farming Yields Regional Benefits in IndiaA new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) released by the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) provides region-specific evidence of the environmental advantages of organic cotton cultivation compared to conventional methods in India. The study, conducted by climate solutions provider South Pole and commissioned by the OCA, analysed verified data from over 18,000 Indian farmers across three growing seasons (2020-2023) and various irrigation systems, including rain-fed, intensive irrigation, and mixed approaches.The research, which examined cotton farming practices across 15 distinct supply regions in five Indian states – Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, and Telangana – aimed to develop detailed environmental profiles for raw organic cotton produced by farmers participating in OCA’s agricultural program. It specifically investigated how different irrigation methods and farming techniques impact the environment.The OCA’s LCA was designed to establish a reliable baseline for evaluating environmental impact from farm to ginning, support credible environmental claims made by brands, and assist with Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting for partner companies. Furthermore, the OCA aimed to refine its data collection and management processes for future assessments and ongoing monitoring.Key outcomes of the OCA’s India organic cotton study indicate that organic cotton farming has a smaller environmental footprint across several crucial impact categories, including climate change potential, water consumption, acidification, and eutrophication. Notably, the study revealed that direct field emissions are significant contributors to climate change effects, acidification, and eutrophication, accounting for a substantial portion (averaging 88 per cent, and ranging from 45 per cent to 99 per cent across most categories) of the impact within the irrigated control group. The research also highlighted the significant role of fertiliser use, both synthetic and natural, in determining the environmental impact of cotton production. Water use impacts were found to vary considerably based on irrigation practices, with rain-fed systems demonstrating the lowest environmental impact.The research underscores the necessity of improving the quality and consistency of LCA data for sustainability initiatives to be effective and measurable. This includes refining secondary data related to irrigation through collaborations with local organizations to enhance water footprint assessments. The study also recommends regular updates to LCA studies to track progress and evaluate the impact of interventions over time.Looking ahead, OCA plans to conduct further regional LCAs to gain a more precise understanding of organic cotton’s contribution to addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and social issues. Brands partnering with OCA will have access to customised LCA insight dashboards, enabling them to monitor progress, inform sourcing decisions, and drive meaningful impact. read more :- Brazil cotton prices rise on tight supplies & trade uncertainty
Brazil Cotton Prices Climb Amid Supply Crunch & Trade WoesTrade tensions between the US and China disrupted global market sentiment in early April, slowing spot market activity amid volatile futures. In Brazil, a mismatch in product quality and pricing continued to limit negotiations during the offseason. Most 2023-24 inventories have already been sold, with remaining sellers holding firm on prices. Buyers with urgent or high-quality requirements are paying a premium, as per the Centre for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (CEPEA).As a result, domestic cotton prices climbed to BRL 4.2999 (~$0.73) per pound on April 15, 2025, up 1.97 per cent from March 31, reaching their highest nominal level since early March.According to National Supply Company’s (CONAB) April 10 report, Brazil's 2024-25 cotton crop is expected to hit a record 3.89 million tonnes—up 5.1 per cent year-on-year—driven by a 6.9 per cent rise in planted area and a 1.7 per cent increase in yield.Globally, the USDA projects cotton production at 26.32 million tonnes for 2024-25, a 7 per cent rise from the previous year, with consumption seen at 25.26 million tonnes, leaving supply 4.2 per cent above demand.read more :-Rupee Rises 11 Paise, Closes at 85.37 Against Dollar
Indian Rupee higher 11 Paisa, Ends at 85.37 per DollarThe Indian rupee on thursday higher 11 paise to close at 85.37 per dollar, while it opened at 85.48 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 1,508.91 points or 1.96 percent at 78,553.20, and the Nifty was up 414.45 points or 1.77 percent at 23,851.65. About 2340 shares advanced, 1468 shares declined, and 149 shares unchanged.read more :-India’s cotton panel recommends removing 11% import duty
India Panel Urges Removal of 11% Cotton Import DutyThe Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (COCPC), headed by the Union Textile Commissioner, has recommended to the Centre to remove the 11 per cent import duty on cotton.The COCPC, which comprises all stakeholders in the cotton industry, made the recommendation at its meeting held in Mumbai on Wednesday, said K Venkatachalam, Chief Advisor, Tamilnadu Spinning Mills Association (TASMA). He was part of the stakeholders meeting. “If the Centre is unable to remove the 11 per cent duty fully, then the COCPC recommended that it could freeze the customs duty for the next months,” he told .Textile mills importing cotton have to be alert on the developing scenario, though any change in the import duty structure will have to be notified by the Ministry of Finance, he said. Positive signal to USVenkatachalam said the move will send a positive signal to the Trump administration in the US that India has made the import duty on cotton zero. “This will likely reflect positive on Indian textile exports to the US,” he said. This development follows the estimate of Indian cotton production at lower than 300 lakh bales (170 kg) by COCPC and industry bodies such as the Cotton Association of India (CAI). According to the CAI’s latest estimate, cotton output this season, to September, will likely be 291.30 lakh bales. The association has also projected imports to more than double to 33 lakh bales from 15.20 lakh bales last season. The cotton supply this year, including 25 lakh bales imported as of March 31, is estimated at 306.83 lakh bales, compared to the estimated consumption of 315 lakh bales. The Indian textile sector has begun importing cotton over the past few years, as the natural fibre’s production has stagnated due to its lower yield. India’s cotton production increased to nearly 400 lakh bales in the early 2010s after the introduction of genetically-modified Bt cotton. But, no new Bt variety has been introduced since 2006, and pest attacks such as pink bollworm and white fly, besides climate change, have begun to impact the productivity.read more :-US cotton exports to India rise on lower prices, tariff uncertainties
US Cotton Gains Ground in India as Prices Fall, Tariff Doubts LoomSECTIONSUS cotton exports to India rise on lower prices, tariff uncertaintiesReutersLast U.S. upland cotton exports to India have risen in the past few months fueled by global tariff conflicts, declining American prices and rising demand in the South Asian country, industry experts said.xports to India from February to April jumped to 155,260 running bales, from 25,901 shipped during a year ago period, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) data. The exports hit an over 2-1/2-year high in the week of February 20.The increase comes as Washington-Beijing trade tensions escalate, reducing U.S. cotton exports to China. China will impose 125% tariffs on U.S. goods, up from the 84% previously announced, the finance ministry said on Friday.With these tariffs and a drop in China's demand, upland cotton grown in Texas and other regions is now finding a market in India, according to Ajay Kedia, director of Kedia Advisors.At the same time, exports to China are expected to decrease, said Justin Cardwell, head of research and technology at Alternative Option.India is the world's second-largest cotton producer after China, as well as one of the world's largest cotton yarn processors and exporters. However, declining yields have recently turned the country from a net exporter to a net importer of the fibre.India mainly imports Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton from the U.S., benefiting from a 10% duty exemption, unlike short staple cotton which has an 11% import duty."The U.S. ELS cotton remains cost-effective for many Indian buyers due to its higher ginning efficiency, better lint yield, and superior fibre quality," said Kedia.The Cotton Association of India (CAI) this year lowered its cotton production estimate by 250,000 bales to 30.1 million bales, marking a 7.84% drop from the 2023-24 season.ICE cotton futures have dropped nearly 5% so far this year.India could see a cotton shortfall of 2.5 million bales this year, a gap that could be bridged with increased imports, said Y. G. Prasad, director of Central Institute for Cotton Research.India's cotton imports in 2024/25 are expected to double due to falling production, according to the CAI. India also imports cotton from Australia, Brazil, and Egypt.read more :-Rupee opened 20 paise higher at 85.48
Rupee gains ground, opens 20 paise up against dollar at 85.48Indian rupee opened 20 paise higher at 85.48 per dollar on Thursday versus Wednesday's close of 85.68.read more :-Why did Bangladesh suspend yarn imports from India through land ports
Bangladesh Halts Indian Yarn Imports via Land Ports Amid Smuggling ConcernsMove : Bangladesh has suspended yarn imports from India through land ports (such as Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamsajid etc.).Reason : The domestic yarn industry was suffering losses due to cheap Indian yarn.Background :* India recently withdrew transshipment facility for Bangladesh.* In February, Bangladesh textile mill owners and the Tariff Commission had sought action against cheap yarn.* Allegation: Yarn imported from India comes cheaper and often at lower declared prices, affecting the domestic yarn industry.Impact:* Domestic yarn usage will be boosted.* But this may lead to raw material costs and procurement delays in the textile industry.* This is not the first time: Bangladesh has previously taken steps to reduce dependence on India for products like potatoes and onions.read more :-Indian Rupee lower 7 Paisa, Ends at 85.68 per Dollar
Rupee lower by 7 Paisa, Ends at 85.68 per DollarThe Indian rupee on wednesday lower 7 paise to close at 85.68 per dollar, while it opened at 85.61 in the morning.At close, the Sensex was up 309.40 points or 0.40 percent at 77,044.29, and the Nifty was up 108.65 points or 0.47 percent at 23,437.20. About 2561 shares advanced, 1244 shares declined, and 129 shares unchanged.read more :-USDA Announces 2025 Cotton Loan Rate Differentials
WASHINGTON, April 15, 2025-The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation announced the 2025-crop loan rate differentials for upland and extra-long staple cotton.The differentials, also referred to as loan rate premiums and discounts, were calculated based on market valuations of various cotton quality factors for the prior three years. The Commodity Credit Corporation adjusts cotton loan rates by these differentials so that cotton loan values reflect the differences in market prices for color, staple length, leaf, extraneous matter, micronaire, length uniformity and strength. This calculation procedure is identical to that used in past years.The 2025-crop differential schedules are applied to 2025-crop loan rates of 52.00 cents per pound for the base grade of upland cotton and 95.00 cents per pound for extra-long staple cotton. The 2018 Farm Bill stipulates that the loan rate for the base quality of upland cotton ranges between 45 and 52 cents per pound based on the simple average of the Adjusted World Price for the two marketing years immediately preceding the next crop planting. However, the established loan rate cannot be less than 98% of the preceding year’s established loan rate. Along with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service classing (quality) measurements, these differentials are used to determine the loan rate for each individual cotton bale.These differentials are important to cotton producers because they are used to derive the actual loan rate for each bale of cotton – above (premium) or below (discount) the average per pound loan rate, depending on the grade or quality of the cotton. The actual loan rate is significant because it is used to determine any marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments.read more :- China appoints new top trade negotiator amid US tariff war
China Names New Trade Chief Amid U.S. Tariff ClashChina appointed as its new trade negotiator on Wednesday a former representative to the World Trade Organization who replaces Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, amid an escalating tariff war with the United States.Li Chenggang, 58, a former assistant commerce minister during the first administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, takes over from Wang, 59, the human resources and social security ministry said in a statement.The change comes as Beijing pursues a hardline stance in an intensifying trade war with Washington triggered by Trump's hefty tariffs on items imported from China.Li, who has held several key jobs in the commerce ministry, such as in departments overseeing treaties and law and fair trade, has an academic background in the elite Peking University and Germany's Hamburg University.He replaces Wang, a veteran commerce official and top trade negotiator since 2022.In the leadup to the U.S. tariff escalation, Wang welcomed foreign executives in Beijing, some from PepsiCo, Visa, P&G, Rio Tinto and Vale, reassuring them of China's economic prospects.The step came after official data showed foreign direct investment plummeted 27.1% in local currency terms in 2024 on the year, for its largest such drop since the 2008 global financial crisis.read more :-Rupee opens 16 paise higher at 85.61 against dollar
In relation to the US dollar, the rupee opens 16 paise higher at 85.61.The rupee opened 16 paise up on April 16 after retail inflation dropped to over a five-year low in March and easing of dollar, as the market goes into wait-and-watch mode on the US tariff action.read more :- Monsoon Rain: This year it will rain heavily! IMD said that monsoon rain will be above average in 2025
IMD Predicts Above-Average Monsoon Rainfall in 2025The Indian Meteorological Department on Tuesday released the monsoon forecast for this year. In its forecast, the IMD has predicted above average monsoon rainfall this year. The National Meteorological Department said that it expects monsoon rainfall to be at least 105 percent of the Long Period Average (LPA). According to the Indian Meteorological Department, there is a high possibility that the seasonal rainfall of the southwest monsoon will be above normal or even more than normal.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that there is a 59% chance of above normal or very high rainfall in the country during the southwest monsoon this year. This forecast is being seen as a ray of hope for India's agrarian society and rural economy.According to IMD, the period between June to September is the monsoon season in India. The rainfall during this period is compared with the Long Period Average (LPA). The Meteorological Department said that if the rainfall is between 105% to 110% of LPA, then it is considered "above normal".Five categories of monsoon forecastIMD has divided monsoon rains into five categories:Very low rainfall (Below Normal): LPA- <90%Below average: LPA- 90-95%Normal: LPA- 96-104%Above normal: LPA- 105-110%Excess rainfall (Excess): LPA- >110%Of these, the probability of "above normal" or "excessive" rainfall is stated to be 59%, which is a better sign than last year.El Nino conditions will remain normalIMD also informed that El Nino conditions are expected to remain normal this year. El Nino is a global weather phenomenon that has a profound impact on the southwest monsoon. It occurs when sea surface temperatures rise in parts of the Pacific Ocean, disrupting seasonal patterns in many areas of the world.read more :-Rupee higher 7 Paisa Against Dollar, Closes at 85.77
| title | Created At | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Indian cotton is the most expensive in the world market, cotton imports will increase | 19-04-2025 19:57:33 | view |
| Cotton University receives prestigious PAIR grant | 19-04-2025 18:48:54 | view |
| Punjab farmers may cut cotton acreage despite artificial intelligence-driven project to control pest attacks | 19-04-2025 18:14:12 | view |
| Weekly Summary Report : Cotton Bales Sold by Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) | 18-04-2025 23:51:37 | view |
| Study reveals region-specific benefits of organic cotton farming in India | 18-04-2025 18:29:07 | view |
| Brazil cotton prices rise on tight supplies & trade uncertainty | 18-04-2025 17:47:48 | view |
| Rupee Rises 11 Paise, Closes at 85.37 Against Dollar | 17-04-2025 22:43:03 | view |
| India’s cotton panel recommends removing 11% import duty | 17-04-2025 18:31:11 | view |
| US cotton exports to India rise on lower prices, tariff uncertainties | 17-04-2025 17:57:26 | view |
| Rupee opened 20 paise higher at 85.48 | 17-04-2025 17:21:00 | view |
| Why did Bangladesh suspend yarn imports from India through land ports | 17-04-2025 00:50:02 | view |
| Indian Rupee lower 7 Paisa, Ends at 85.68 per Dollar | 16-04-2025 22:41:59 | view |
| USDA Announces 2025 Cotton Loan Rate Differentials | 16-04-2025 18:54:43 | view |
| China appoints new top trade negotiator amid US tariff war | 16-04-2025 18:31:24 | view |
| Rupee opens 16 paise higher at 85.61 against dollar | 16-04-2025 17:31:00 | view |
| Monsoon Rain: This year it will rain heavily! IMD said that monsoon rain will be above average in 2025 | 15-04-2025 23:29:13 | view |
