
Cotton prices surge in India as CCI sells over half its stock. Strong mill demand, rising global prices, and tight supply keep the market firm with positive outlook ahead.
By Robin Kumar Attri
CCI sold over 5.5 million bales out of 10.5 million
Cotton prices rose by ₹6,000 per candy this season
Weekly price jump of around ₹800 per candy
Global prices up 25%, higher than Indian rates
Strong mill demand with 3–4 months yarn orders
The cotton market in India is witnessing a strong upward trend as demand continues to rise while availability tightens. The government agency, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), has already sold more than half of its cotton stock procured for the current season. This signals that cotton consumption remains robust and textile mills are actively buying despite higher prices.
According to the CCI, the agency procured around 10.5 million bales of cotton during the 2025–26 season, which is higher than last year’s procurement. Out of this, more than 5.5 million bales have already been sold.
This rapid sale has been driven by strong buying activity over the past two months, with both mills and traders consistently purchasing cotton to meet rising demand.
Cotton prices in India have been steadily rising throughout the season. Recently, the CCI increased its selling price by ₹200 per candy (356 kg). Over the past week alone, prices have gone up by around ₹800 per candy.
At the start of the season, cotton was priced at approximately ₹55,000 per candy, but it has now reached nearly ₹61,000 per candy. This marks an overall increase of more than ₹6,000 per candy, clearly reflecting the strong market momentum.
The price rise is not limited to India. The global cotton market is also experiencing a bullish trend. International cotton prices have increased by over 25%, while in India, the rise has been around 15–20%.
Despite this increase, Indian cotton remains slightly cheaper than global prices, which are currently hovering between ₹63,500 and ₹64,000 per candy. This price gap is supporting strong demand for Indian cotton in both domestic and export markets.
The upward trend is also visible in the futures market. Cotton prices on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) have surged significantly.
Since the beginning of March, futures prices have jumped from 62 cents per pound to over 80 cents per pound, reflecting nearly a 30% increase. In recent trading sessions, cotton futures for July delivery have been trading around 81 cents per pound.
Market experts believe that steady demand from textile mills is the key driver behind the firm prices. Mills currently have three to four months of yarn orders, which is pushing them to continue buying cotton without hesitation.
As a result, even rising prices have not slowed down purchasing activity. CCI’s remaining stock has now dropped to below 5 million bales, indicating that demand continues to outpace supply.
Looking ahead, experts expect cotton prices to remain strong in the near term. The market is likely to stay firm as long as:
Demand from textile mills remains stable
Global cotton prices continue their upward trend
However, future price movement will also depend on the upcoming cotton sowing season and production estimates.
Overall, the current cotton market reflects a strong and stable environment. Farmers are benefiting from better prices, while mills are securing supply to meet ongoing demand. With both domestic and global factors supporting the market, cotton prices are expected to stay on a firm footing in the coming months.
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India’s cotton market is currently strong, supported by steady mill demand and rising global prices. The Cotton Corporation of India has already sold a large portion of its stock, showing active buying in the market. Prices are likely to remain firm in the short term. However, future trends will depend on new season sowing and production levels. For now, farmers and traders are benefiting from the positive price momentum.
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