Archive · 17 Aug 2025
India's Cotton Imports to Hit Record High in 2024-25
Imagine India needs a lot of cotton to make clothes.
Because cotton is cheaper to buy from other countries right now, India is buying a record amount, almost twice as much as last year!
This is because the cotton from other countries is cheaper.
Most of the cotton is coming from places like Brazil, Africa, and Australia.
This is happening because Indian mills, which make clothes for export, are finding imported cotton to be a better deal.
The import duty is also lower for them.
India's cotton imports for the 2024-25 crop year are expected to reach a record 39 lakh bales.
This is more than double the previous year's imports of 15.20 lakh bales.
Lower international prices and higher demand for contaminant-free cotton are driving the surge.
Around 33 lakh bales have already arrived at Indian ports as of the end of July.
Imports are primarily from Brazil, African countries, and Australia.
- Who
- India is importing cotton from various countries.
- What
- India's cotton imports are surging to a record high.
- When
- The 2024-25 crop year, ending September.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Lower international prices and high demand are the main reasons.
Indian Market Dynamics
Global Market Forces
Price Differences
Indian Market Dynamics
Domestic prices are 10-12% higher than the world market.
Global Market Forces
International cotton is cheaper and preferred for exports.
- Projected Imports
- 39 lakh bales
- Previous Year Imports
- 15.20 lakh bales
- Cotton Source (Mainly)
- Brazil
- Import Duty for Mills
- 4.4%
- Cotton price (Brazilian)
- ₹51,000 per candy
- Pressing Estimates (2024-25)
- 311.4 lakh bales