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Informist, Tuesday, Jun. 9, 2026

NEW DELHI – India's cotton acreage is expected to rise over 13% and exceed 13.0 million hectares in the ongoing kharif season due to increasing preference among farmers for less-water-intensive crops amid concern over below-normal rainfall, Kedia Advisory said. In addition, an INR-557-hike in the minimum support price and continued procurement support are also encouraging farmers to shift to cotton. Last year, cotton was cultivated across 11.48 million hectares.

"Early sowing data from Gujarat indicates a strong start, with cotton planted on more than 93,000 hectares as of Jun. 8, substantially higher than the corresponding period last year," Kedia Advisory said. Trade estimates also expect cotton acreage to rise 15% in central India and 10-20% in south India. "While acreage may decline in Punjab and Haryana, higher planting in Rajasthan is expected to result in overall growth across the northern region as well," Kedia added. 

However, the agriculture ministry's early sowing patterns indicated a 23% on-year fall in cotton acreage. As of Friday, farmers across the country planted cotton across 751,000 hectares, down from 972,000 hectares a year ago. 

According to the brokerage, cotton acreage is likely to expand as the season progresses, with many farmers seeing cotton as "a safer cropping option" because it requires relatively less water than competing crops amid forecasts of El Nino and below-normal rains. The government's announcement of a higher minimum support price for cotton has further strengthened planting intentions.

The minimum support price of medium-staple cotton has been increased 7.2% to INR 8,267 per 100 kg, and that of long-staple cotton by 6.8% to INR 8,667 per 100 kg for 2026-27 (Oct-Sept). 

"Higher MSP, favorable sowing economics, and weather-related concerns are driving cotton acreage expansion, though weak textile demand remains a key challenge for sustaining stronger cotton prices in the near term," Kedia said. Mills' cotton consumption has been affected by sluggish yarn demand and lower yarn prices. To stimulate market activity, the Cotton Corp. of India recently reduced its cotton selling price by INR 2,500 per candy (1 candy = 356 kg) to attract mills and traders, the brokerage said.  End

Reported by Afra Abubacker

Edited by Akul Nishant Akhoury

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