India imports 2.71 mn cotton bales in 2024-25 cotton season

Data presented to the Lok Sabha by Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State for Textiles, shows, India imported 2.71 million bales of cotton worth approximately Rs 7,830 crore during the 2024–25 cotton season (up to May 31, 2025). The primary suppliers were Brazil, the US, and Australia. Brazil led the imports with 654,000 bales followed by the US with 525,000 bales and Australia with 513,000 bales. Other significant suppliers included Mali, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and several other African nations. The government stated, it currently does not have any plans to restrict or sanction cotton imports.

Central agency for Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), procured 10.02 million bales in 2024–25, which is about 34.04 per cent of India’s estimated production of 29.43 million bales. Valued at Rs 37,436.73 crore, this procurement was conducted across 508 centers in 11 states.

Telangana (4.04 million bales), Maharashtra (2.94 million bales), and Gujarat (1.41 million bales) were the top states for MSP sales, benefiting over 2.08 million farmer transactions. In Maharashtra alone, the CCI purchased 1.45 million quintals of cotton for Rs 10,714 crore through more than 627,000 farmer transactions.

The MSP intervention was initiated when cotton prices dropped below government-declared support rates. The Minister noted, in previous seasons, such as 2016–17, 2021–22, and 2022–23, prices remained high, so government procurement was not needed. Of the total MSP procurement this season, 7.15 million bales have already been sold through e-auctions, while 2.86 million bales remain in stock.

Over the past decade, India's cotton imports have varied, with the US, Australia, and African countries being consistent suppliers. Imports peaked in 2021-22 at over 2.11 million bales worth Rs 10,354 crore before decreasing in subsequent years. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting farmers' interests while ensuring the textile industry has enough raw materials through a balanced strategy of both procurement and imports.