India May Become Major US Cotton Importer in 2026 Amid Rising Demand
By jayesh chouhan 2026-07-17 12:39:16
India Could Become a Key Buyer of US Cotton This Year
The US expects India to emerge as a major importer of its cotton by 2026. Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council of America, stated that India is currently vying for the position of the fourth-largest market for US cotton. He believes that import demand could rise further due to a shrinking cotton cultivation area in India and uncertainties surrounding the monsoon.
In its latest report, Cotton: World Markets and Trade, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has raised its forecast for India's cotton imports for the 2025-26 season to 5.69 million bales, up from the previous estimate of 5.318 million bales. Meanwhile, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) has projected imports in the range of 6.0–6.5 million bales. The government's temporary removal of the 11 percent import duty on long-staple cotton is also expected to boost imports.
Adams noted that Vietnam was the largest buyer of US cotton last year, while Bangladesh's textile industry continues to maintain strong demand. In contrast, demand for US cotton in China has remained weak due to US-China trade tensions.
The USDA projects that global cotton consumption could rise by 1.5 to 2 percent in the 2026-27 season. However, rising energy and crude oil prices remain a concern for the industry. Higher oil prices have made synthetic fibers more expensive, thereby supporting demand for natural fibers, particularly cotton.
Adams stated that the cost of cotton production in the US has risen by approximately 20 percent over the last two to three years due to increasing costs of fertilizers, fuel, chemicals, and labor. Additionally, drought conditions in the US Cotton Belt could impact production.
He added that consumers are shifting back towards natural fibers due to growing awareness regarding microplastics. There is immense potential for cooperation between the US and India in the cotton and textile sectors, and trade between the two countries is expected to strengthen further in the coming years.
