India has stepped up cotton imports from the United States to meet the quality and supply requirements of the domestic textile industry, which consumes around 94% of the country’s cotton output, the government informed Parliament.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita said that during August–September 2025, including the period following the temporary exemption of the 11% import duty, cotton imports from the US were aligned with the needs of the domestic industry.
Overall cotton imports rose sharply to 41.40 lakh bales in 2024–25, compared with 15.2 lakh bales in 2023–24, helping to bridge the demand–supply gap in the domestic market. Margherita stated that these imports ensure the availability of specialised cotton varieties and support export-oriented production, thereby strengthening the global competitiveness of India’s textile sector.
In a separate reply, the minister said that cotton imports remain limited and are largely confined to specialised varieties such as Extra Long Staple cotton. He added that the temporary exemption of import duty is not expected to have an adverse impact on farmers, as minimum support price operations continue to provide protection.
The minister also noted that domestic cotton prices have moderated in line with global trends and are currently in the range of Rs. 71,500 (US $ 798) to Rs. 72,500 (US $ 809) per candy. He said this price level balances affordability for the textile industry while safeguarding farmers’ interests and supporting India’s export competitiveness.
