Cotton arrivals in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan halve in first four months of 2024-25 season

Cotton arrivals in the grain markets of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have sharply decreased in the first four months of the 2024-25 cotton marketing season, according to the Indian Cotton Association Limited (ICAL). From September 1 to December 31, 2024, the states received a total of 16,92,796 bales, nearly half the 32,61,891 bales recorded during the same period in 2023-24.

The dip in cotton arrivals reflects a significant decline in cotton production, projected to fall by 38 per cent this season. The combined output of the three states is expected to be 30,79,600 bales, down from 49,96,438 bales in the previous season. This drop is attributed to a 31 per cent reduction in the area under cotton cultivation due to repeated pest attacks, with Punjab seeing the largest decline area under cultivation fell below 1 lakh hectares.

Punjab’s cotton production is estimated to be half of last season’s, at 1,96,500 bales. Haryana is expected to produce 9,26,600 bales, and Rajasthan 19,56,500 bales, down from 15,38,129 and 30,64,795 bales, respectively, in 2023-24. Total area under cotton cultivation in these states has shrunk from 17.96 lakh hectares last year to 12.38 lakh hectares this season.