Cotlook Index: 24-08-2026
98.20 (UC)
ICE cotton continues to rise amid bullish factors
Tue. 25th Aug 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: ICE cotton futures hit fresh highs as weaker US crop conditions, Texas and Xinjiang heat and dryness, and rising crude oil supported prices. China's State Reserve auction saw a 26th consecutive sell-out, taking cumulative sales to 208,545 tonnes. Open interest rose for a 16th session; further gains depend on textile mills accepting higher cotton prices and building orders.
ICE cotton futures continued to see new highs yesterday amid sustained buying and supportive bullish factors. US weather conditions and cotton auction by the Chinese reserves supported cotton futures. Rising crude oil also provided support to US cotton as it makes polyester fibre more expensive. It is manmade fibre and good substitute of cotton. The most active December 2026 contract settled at 88.83 cents up 0.48 cent. The contract reached new high of 88.83 cents per pound. March, May, July and December 2027 contracts also posted their second consecutive contract high settlements. Cotton futures remained broadly firm. Volume increased to 51,575 contracts from 40,456 Friday, compared with last week's average of 50,820. The bigger story remains open interest: OI increased for the 16th consecutive session, with a cumulative rise of 49,343 contracts. Weather continues to provide fundamental support. US cotton conditions have been deteriorating, while hot and dry weather in Texas is putting further pressure on the crop. China is also facing heat and dryness in Xinjiang, which has supported Chinese cotton prices. The market is increasingly concerned that adverse weather could reduce final production and tighten global supply. China's State Reserve auction remained exceptionally strong, with the 26th consecutive sold-out auction. Around 8,003 tonnes were sold on Monday. The 26-day cumulative total has reached 208,545 tonnes, The continued 100 per cent sell-through is an important indication of firm Chinese mill demand, although mills elsewhere remain cautious at current price levels. The key issue now is demand. Cotton has risen sharply, and for the rally to continue, downstream textile mills need to accept higher prices and continue building orders. Chinese authorities could also provide another source of demand if they decide to replenish the reserves being released through the auctions. Higher energy prices are another potential headwind. Rising energy costs are contributing to global inflation and could put pressure on consumer spending on finished textile products, eventually affecting textile demand. Overall, the market remains strongly bullish, supported by falling US crop conditions, adverse weather in the US and China, strong Chinese reserve auction participation, a weaker supply outlook and exceptionally strong open-interest growth. However, prices have now moved significantly higher, so sustained demand will become increasingly important. The biggest question is whether mills will chase cotton at these levels or wait for a correction. This morning (Indian Standard Time), ICE cotton for December 2026 was traded at 87.59 cents per pound (down 1.24 cent), cash cotton at 83.73 cents (up 0.41 cent), the October 2026 contract at 87.48 cents (up 0.41 cent), the March 2027 contract at 89.51 cents (down 1.18 cent), the May 2027 contract at 90.60 cents (down 1.13 cent), and the July 2027 contract at 89.81 cents (down 1.02 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.
India urges Bangladesh to lift ban on yarn imports through land ports
Tue. 25th Aug 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: India has urged Bangladesh to lift restrictions on yarn imports through land ports. The request was made by Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi to Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir. Trivedi discussed reopening closed border haats and fully operationalising land ports. India can back Bangladesh's RMG sector by supplying zippers, machinery and other inputs, Trivedi said.
India recently urged Bangladesh to lift restrictions on yarn imports through land ports to strengthen bilateral trade ties. The request was made by Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi to Bangladesh Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir in Dhaka. Trivedi discussed reopening closed border haats (markets) and fully operationalising land ports, a statement from the Bangladesh Commerce Ministry said. Both discussed ways to identify obstacles to trade and make trade relations easier and more effective, according to domestic media outlets. The minister said the two sides proposed forming a joint task force and developing digital infrastructure to foster cooperation between businesses, create new investment opportunities and accelerate trade. India can support Bangladesh’s garment sector by supplying zippers, machinery, buttons and other inputs to increase mutual interdependence, the ambassador added.
India, Cambodia discuss market access as bilateral trade grows
Tue. 25th Aug 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
India and Cambodia held the third meeting of the India-Cambodia Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) in Phnom Penh yesterday, covering trade diversification, customs cooperation, investment and market access issues relevant to exporters and manufacturers. The meeting was co-chaired by Amit Verma, joint secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India, and Long Kemvichet, director general of international trade, Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia. Both sides noted that bilateral trade grew by over 36 per cent to $406.78 million in 2025-26 from $299 million in the previous financial year, while the April-June 2026 quarter recorded a further 63.25 per cent year-on-year growth (YoY). Cambodia was described as India’s 8th largest trading partner in ASEAN, accounting for 0.31 per cent of India’s total trade with the bloc.
The meeting discussed ways to diversify and deepen trade, including cooperation and collaboration in traditional medicine, e-governance modules, recognition of Indian pharmacopeia, trade statistics reconciliation, and sharing information on flagship trade fairs and business delegations, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said in a press release. Both sides welcomed the successful launch of UPI acceptance at KHQR-enabled merchants in Phnom Penh on June 2, 2026. They also discussed the next phase of enabling Cambodian payment applications to scan UPI QR codes in India, allowing Cambodian travellers to use UPI-enabled terminals in India seamlessly. The two sides welcomed agreement on the MoU on Custom Cooperation and discussed its early signing, which is expected to bring uniformity in customs procedure. They also discussed cooperation in agriculture and market access issues, expanding trade in dyes and pigments, and cooperation in the banking and insurance sectors. The meeting welcomed discussions for completing the Bilateral Investment Treaty between India and Cambodia, with both sides agreeing on early signature. The JWGTI meeting also reaffirmed the depth and growing potential of the India-Cambodia trade and economic partnership. On the sidelines of the JWGTI meeting, Amit Verma held talks with Tith Rithipol, Under Secretary of State, Cambodia, covering stronger bilateral trade and investment, cooperation in pharmaceuticals, and the UPI-KHQR digital payments linkage. Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to deepening the partnership between the two countries. Verma also met members of the Indian Business Chamber in Cambodia (IBCC). Discussions focused on accelerating bilateral trade agreement talks, facilitating Indian investment in Cambodia, and identifying 5-7 priority sectors. The meeting also discussed an ‘Invest in Cambodia’ roadshow in India, positioning Cambodia as a production base for Indian companies seeking access to ASEAN markets, and establishing a mechanism for IBCC/FICCI/JBC to provide private-sector feedback to the JWGTI, added the release.
India's Textiles Committee urges zero-defect manufacturing
Mon. 24th Aug 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: India's Textiles Committee marked its 62nd Foundation Day in Mumbai, highlighting work in quality standardisation, export facilitation and artisan support.
The textiles minister tied competitiveness to zero-defect manufacturing, traceability and environmental conformity. MSMEs, exporters and sourcing teams face closer focus on testing, certification, FTA use and green compliance.
India's Textiles Committee has marked its 62nd Foundation Day in Mumbai with a policy and compliance message for textile exporters, manufacturers and sourcing teams: zero-defect manufacturing, traceability and environmental conformity will be central to global competitiveness, the Ministry of Textiles said. India's Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh, who attended as chief guest, commended the Committee for its shift from a conventional pre-shipment inspection agency in the 1960s to an enabler for modern trade, research and quality compliance. He also reiterated the Prime Minister's 5F Vision—Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Factory, Factory to Fashion and Fashion to Foreign—and highlighted the expansion of Textile Export Facilitation Centres to simplify free trade agreement utilisation and export clearances for MSMEs, and urged the Committee to bring Indian textile certification in line with the highest international accreditation benchmarks. Established on August 22, 1964 under the Textiles Committee Act, 1963, the Textiles Committee is a statutory body under the Ministry of Textiles, and has completed 62 years of work towards quality standards in textiles and textile machinery for domestic consumption and international markets. The event was attended by Minister of Textiles, Government of Maharashtra Sanjay Savkare as guest of honour; textile commissioner and vice chairperson, Textiles Committee Vrunda Manohar Desai; joint secretary, Ministry of Textiles Manisha Chatterjee; development commissioner for handlooms, Ministry of Textiles Dr. M. Beena; secretary, Textiles Committee Kartikay Dhanda; senior government officials; heads of export promotion councils; industry representatives; ginners; and other stakeholders. Savkare lauded Marashtra's industrial powerloom hubs, including Bhiwandi, Ichalkaranji and Solapur, and the Committee's testing infrastructure in Mumbai. He also pointed to scope for collaborative work in skill development, cluster-level testing clinics and sustainable waste recovery. Beena emphasised the Committee's role in protecting authentic weaver craftsmanship through the India Handloom Brand and Handloom Mark, along with protection of handloom products under the Geographical Indications Act, 1999. Desai highlighted value-chain interventions including GI tagging, post-GI handholding and the establishment of India's first municipal-scale Textile Recovery Facility in collaboration with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Chatterjee highlighted the Committee's work in green chemistry through the UNIDO-GEF Project—Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from the Textile and Fashion Supply Chain. She also referred to the Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector, SAMARTH, which was launched to convert unskilled manpower into a skilled workforce across various parts of the textile industry. Dhanda outlined the Committee's evolution in response to changing sector requirements and thanked the Government of India, trade and industry for continued support. Since its inception in 1964, the Committee has widened its technical and developmental role in line with domestic and global textile industry requirements. It operates a nationwide network of NABL-accredited eco-testing and physical testing laboratories, offering specialised restricted substance analysis and other testing services at accessible costs, particularly for MSMEs, according to the Committee. The Committee also highlighted national branding and authenticity frameworks across the textile value chain. It said Handloom Mark gives India's handloom products a premium identity in domestic and international markets and serves as a symbol of authenticity for handwoven products. India Handloom Brand applies zero-defect quality benchmarks and chemical safety standards for certified, eco-friendly products while supporting fair returns to handloom weavers. Jute Mark India gives India's golden fibre a standardised identity for biodegradable packaging and diversified lifestyle products, while Bharat Wool Mark creates objective grading and quality standards for indigenous wool and supports pastoral communities across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal and Uttarakhand.
India textile minister pushes circularity at Navi Mumbai recovery hub
Mon. 24th Aug 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com/news)
Insights: Giriraj Singh reviewed Navi Mumbai's recovery hub, inspecting sorting, fibre identification, shredding and material recovery. The facility diverts pre- and post-consumer textile waste from landfills via collection, segregation, upcycling and recycling. A Textiles Committee-Refibre Letter of Intent will develop a digital platform for post-consumer collection, traceability and impact measurement.
India’s Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh has called for stronger textile recycling and circularity systems after reviewing operations at the Textile Recovery Facility (TRF) in Navi Mumbai. Singh visited the facility coinciding with the Foundation Day of the Textiles Committee. During the visit, he inspected the processing chain, including automated sorting, fibre identification, shredding and recovery of secondary materials. The TRF has been developed to divert post-consumer and pre-consumer textile waste away from municipal landfills through collection, segregation, upcycling and recycling. The minister said stronger recovery frameworks would help reduce dependence on natural resources while supporting India’s climate commitments and sustainable textile manufacturing ambitions, the ministery of textile said in a press release. He also suggested that the initiative be expanded beyond the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) area to increase its reach and impact. During the programme, the Textiles Committee and Refibre signed a Letter of Intent to develop a digital circular textile infrastructure platform covering post-consumer textile collection, traceability and impact measurement. Singh also reviewed the use of technology developed by Kosha for segregating discarded clothing according to fibre groups. He appreciated the collaborative role of the Textiles Committee, NMMC, SBI Foundation and Tisser Artisan Trust in building an integrated system for textile waste collection, sorting, recycling and upcycling. The minister further said wider adoption of such recovery and recycling systems could help position India as a global centre for sustainable textile manufacturing.
Amreli Faces Rain Deficit
Tue. 25th Aug 2026, Yash Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
No Rain in Amreli for a Month; Groundnut and Cotton Crops Affected
Farmers in Gujarat's Amreli district are increasingly concerned due to the lack of rainfall over the past month. Initially, good rains at the start of the monsoon had raised hopes for a bountiful harvest of cotton and groundnut, and many farmers had completed sowing on time. While some areas of the district received heavy rainfall initially, others recorded only light showers. This maintained adequate soil moisture, leading farmers to anticipate a successful crop. However, the absence of rain for the last month has now caused the impact of water scarcity to become visible on the crops. Farmers with access to irrigation facilities are managing to save their crops somehow. In contrast, the cotton and groundnut crops of farmers lacking irrigation facilities have begun to wither; in some areas, groundnut plants have started turning yellow. Erratic rainfall had previously forced some farmers to undertake re-sowing. After incurring significant expenses on seeds, fertilizers, and labor, they now face the looming fear of crop failure. Farmers state that if there is no rainfall in the coming days, their crops could be completely destroyed. Distressed by the lack of rain, farmers are demanding relief and financial assistance from the government. They remain hopeful that rainfall will occur soon, allowing their crops to be saved.
Pest Attacks on Soybean and Cotton Crops Raise Farmer Concerns
Mon. 24th Aug 2026, Ashish Wagh (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Farmers in the district are worried due to an increasing pest infestation affecting soybean and cotton crops. Crop growth is also being hampered by persistent cloud cover and a lack of rainfall. Infestations of various pests have been observed in both major Kharif crops, which have now reached a critical stage of development. During this Kharif season, various crops have been sown across an area of 4.18 lakh hectares in the district. This includes 1,19,626 hectares dedicated to soybean and 2,31,961 hectares to cotton. The district has recorded 446.4 mm of rainfall since June; while sowing was initially delayed due to a late start to the rains, farmers completed the process once the rainfall arrived.
District Agriculture Superintendent Arvind Uparikar has advised farmers to regularly monitor their crops and—should any pest infestation be detected—seek guidance from Agriculture Department experts to implement appropriate management measures.
India Eyes Global Cotton Price Influence
Mon. 24th Aug 2026, Yash Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Indian Cotton Should Become a Global Price Influencer: CCI Chief
India should aim to become a price influencer in the global cotton market by improving productivity, quality, transparency and price discovery, said Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), in Coimbatore on Friday. Inaugurating a biannual cotton conference organised jointly by the Indian Cotton Federation and the Indian Cotton Association, Gupta said India had the scale to become a globally competitive cotton producer, but its output currently does not meet domestic consumption needs. Under the Mission on Cotton, about five lakh hectares will be targeted in the first year to raise productivity. High-density planting trials across 25,000 hectares have recorded yields of 15 quintals of seed cotton per acre, he said. Gupta stressed that Indian cotton must meet global requirements for consistent and contamination-free fibre. The industry must work collectively to reduce contamination, he said. He also called for greater transparency and reliable data for better price discovery. “We need actual data, and this information should be integrated with the entire system,” he said. The CCI procured 105 lakh bales during the current cotton season and sold 94 lakh bales. It currently holds around 17 lakh bales. K.V. Srinivasan, former president of the International Textile Manufacturers’ Federation, said India needed a technology-led boost in cotton yields to compete with Brazil, the US and China. With India accounting for about 38% of the world’s cotton-growing area, higher yields could help the country emerge as the world’s leading cotton producer, he said.
Cotton Prices Likely to Stay at ₹75-80 per Kg During Harvest: TNAU
Mon. 24th Aug 2026, Anand Lodhi (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Cotton prices likely to hover around ₹75-80 per kg during harvest: TNAU
According to the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), the price of good-quality cotton is expected to remain around ₹75-80 per kilogram during the upcoming harvest season.
TNAU has arrived at this estimate based on an analysis of cotton prices at the Mulanur Regulated Market over the past 20 years. The university has advised farmers to consider this projected market price when making decisions regarding cotton sowing. India ranks first globally in terms of cotton cultivation area and second in production and consumption. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare's second advance estimates for 2025-26, cotton has been cultivated across 114.82 lakh hectares in the country. Production is estimated at 49.455 lakh tonnes, with a productivity of 431 kg per hectare. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are the major cotton-producing states. In Tamil Nadu, cotton was cultivated on 1.02 lakh hectares during 2024-25. Production stood at 3.80 lakh tonnes, and productivity was 350 kg per hectare. Tiruvarur, Virudhunagar, Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli, and Salem are the key cotton-producing districts. Trade sources indicate that the southwest monsoon and the volume of arrivals from major producing states could influence cotton prices. Climatic conditions, such as El Niño, may also impact the monsoon and production levels; therefore, actual market prices could differ from TNAU's estimates.
North India Cotton Acreage Falls 23%
Tue. 25th Aug 2026, Yash Chouhan (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Cotton Acreage Drops by 23% in North India; Punjab Most Affected
The area under cotton cultivation in North India's three major cotton-producing states—Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan—has declined by approximately 23% this year. Last year, cotton was sown across about 11.83 lakh hectares in these three states; this year, the figure has dropped to around 9.09 lakh hectares, marking a reduction of 2.74 lakh hectares or 23.2%. Punjab has recorded the steepest decline. The state's cotton acreage has fallen from approximately 1.28 lakh hectares last year to around 80,000 hectares this year—a decrease of about 48,000 hectares or 37.5%. Traditional cotton-growing regions such as Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Faridkot, and Ferozepur are now gradually shifting towards paddy and other crops. In Haryana, cotton acreage has decreased from approximately 3.80 lakh hectares to 2.95 lakh hectares. Similarly, in Rajasthan, it has dropped from 6.55 lakh hectares to around 5.34 lakh hectares. Nevertheless, Rajasthan remains the state with the largest area under cotton cultivation among the three. According to farmers, infestations by whitefly and pink bollworm, declining yields, rising costs, and market uncertainty have made cotton farming a risky proposition. In contrast, paddy cultivation offers farmers greater confidence due to procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), an established network of mandis (wholesale markets), and irrigation facilities. To increase cotton acreage, it is essential to provide farmers with better seeds, effective pest control measures, higher yields, remunerative prices, and reliable market access.
Marathwada Sowing Area Down 7% Amid Rainfall Deficit
Tue. 25th Aug 2026, (Source: www.money.rediff.com)
Marathwada''s cultivation area shrinks by 7% due to a 20.3% rainfall deficit. Cotton & sugarcane acreage drops, while soybean, maize & sunflower rise. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Aug 25 (PTI) The cultivation area in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra has shrunk by nearly 3.5 lakh hectares this year, with rainfall 20.3 per cent below average, according to agriculture department data. The sowing area stands at 46.19 lakh hectares - down seven per cent from the fiveâyear average of 49.72 lakh hectares and 2 lakh hectares less than last year, it said.
Marathwada, comprising Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, Dharashiv and Latur districts, has received 479.1 mm of rain, 20.3 per cent less against the expected 586.1 mm. The deficit is sharper in Parbhani (34.7 per cent) and Latur (40.6 per cent), as per another official report.
The contraction is most visible in cash crops. Cotton acreage has dropped by 2.65 lakh hectares to 12.14 lakh hectares, while sugarcane cultivation has plunged from an average of 3.24 lakh hectares to just 43,821 hectares this season, the agriculture department said. Farmers have shifted towards soybean, maize and sunflower. Soybean acreage has risen by 12 per cent to 25.74 lakh hectares, maize has expanded by five per cent to?? 2.68 lakh hectares, and sunflower cultivation has grown 39 per cent to 2,289 hectares, it added.
