Cotlook Index: 25-09-2026
93.75 (+0.50)
India eases origin documentation for UK imports under CETA
Sunday, 27th Sep 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: CBIC has eased customs documentation for importers claiming preferential duties on UK-origin goods under the India-UK CETA. A valid Origin Declaration will generally suffice, with Form-I required only when customs identify specific origin risks. The move reduces paperwork and compliance burdens, potentially speeding up clearance for eligible shipments. India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has simplified documentation requirements for importers claiming preferential duty benefits on eligible UK-origin goods under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), removing the need to routinely submit Form-I with every Bill of Entry.
Under the clarified framework, importers can generally claim preferential tariff rates based on a valid Origin Declaration furnished by the exporter or producer in the UK. Form-I may be sought by customs authorities where specific risks or concerns arise regarding the origin of imported goods, as per media reports. The change aligns with CETA’s self-certification mechanism, under which UK exporters and producers can directly certify that their goods meet the agreement’s rules of origin without obtaining a separate certificate from a designated authority.
The revised process also means importers will not ordinarily need to obtain confidential commercial or production information from UK exporters or producers to support preferential tariff claims. CBIC has clarified that the failure to furnish such information, by itself, will not be sufficient grounds to deny preferential tariff treatment.Form-I, prescribed under the Customs Administration of Rules of Origin under Trade Agreements (CAROTAR), contains information that Indian Customs may use to verify origin compliance, including details on production, materials and the origin criteria used to qualify for preferential tariffs.CBIC has also clarified the treatment of “identical goods” during origin verification, providing greater clarity for customs scrutiny and potentially making the verification process more predictable for importers.Previously, importers claiming preferential treatment under the India-UK CETA were required to submit Form-I with each Bill of Entry. The revised approach removes this routine requirement while retaining the ability of customs authorities to request additional origin-related information where warranted. The measures are expected to reduce documentation at the import stage, limit repeated requests for information from overseas suppliers and help streamline customs clearance for eligible UK-origin shipments. The simplified process could be particularly useful for micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) importers with limited resources for managing detailed customs compliance.
The CETA rules of origin came into force on July 15, 2026, alongside the wider trade agreement.
Balwari Mandi New Season Begins
Friday, 25th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
New Season Begins at Balwari Mandi; Arrivals Include Maize, Cotton, and Two Other Crops
Balwari. Auctions for the new season commenced on Thursday at the Agricultural Produce Market (Mandi) in Balwari, located in Varla Tehsil. Following a traditional prayer ceremony within the market premises, bidding began for the agricultural produce brought in by farmers. Arrivals recorded on the first day included maize, cotton, wheat, and moong (green gram). Pandit Rajendra Bhatt conducted the prayer ceremony at the market complex, after which the auction process began. On the first day, a total of 260 quintals of maize arrived in 15 vehicles. Maize prices ranged from ₹1,400 to ₹1,650 per quintal; however, the reported maximum price for maize was ₹2,311 per quintal. Cotton arrived in three vehicles, with prices ranging from ₹6,501 to ₹7,200 per quintal. Wheat arrivals totaled 1 quintal, priced at ₹2,700 per quintal, while 2 quintals of moong arrived, fetching ₹7,200 per quintal. Officials and staff—including In-charge Mandi Secretary Hemantsingh More and Sub-inspectors Prakash Vaskel, Pankaj Jamod, and Ramesh Chauhan—along with licensed traders, were present for the start of the new season. In-charge Mandi Secretary Hemantsingh More stated that the Balwari Agricultural Produce Market would operate regularly. He urged farmers in the region to bring their produce to the market premises and sell it exclusively through licensed traders, advising them against selling to unlicensed merchants. He warned that action would be taken in accordance with market regulations against traders purchasing produce without a license. Farmers were also encouraged to contact the market office regarding any issues or grievances related to the sale of their produce.
Rajkot Cotton Prices Recover
Friday, 25th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Cotton Market Recovery: Prices Hit ₹9,421 in Rajkot; Farmers Eye Arrival Figures
Khamgaon (Buldhana): Cotton prices, which had dipped below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) in August, are now showing signs of recovery. The average price of cotton at the Rajkot Market Committee in Gujarat has reached ₹9,421 per quintal. This is ₹1,711 higher than the MSP of ₹7,710 per quintal set for the 2025-26 season.
According to data from the SMART project's Market Information and Risk Mitigation Cell, the average cotton price in Rajkot recorded a 0.54% increase compared to the previous week. Farmers are closely monitoring these figures to gauge the future direction of market prices.
Data indicates that total cotton arrivals across the country dropped by 23.66% compared to the previous week. Conversely, cotton arrivals in Maharashtra surged by 362.47% during the same period. These figures highlight contrasting arrival trends at the national and state levels; the increased arrivals in Maharashtra could impact prices in local markets.
MSP for the New Season: ₹8,267
The Central Government has fixed the MSP for medium-staple cotton at ₹8,267 per quintal for the 2026-27 Kharif season. The current average price in Rajkot is ₹1,154 higher than this MSP.
Meanwhile, the cotton price at the Buldhana Market Committee stood at ₹8,300 per quintal. There is a difference of ₹1,121 between the prices in Rajkot and Buldhana. Price variations across different markets are influenced by factors such as arrivals, demand, and local market conditions. In the first fortnight of August, the cotton price was reported to be around ₹7,600 per quintal—₹110 below the then-MSP of ₹7,710. Subsequently, a recovery in prices was observed towards the end of August and the beginning of September.
In the coming days, the trend of cotton prices will depend on market arrivals, local demand, and production in the new season. It will be important for farmers to keep an eye on daily price and arrival figures.
Narma Cotton Picking Begins in Rajasthan’s Patroda, Farmers Worried Over Low Yield
Saturday, 26th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Narma (Cotton) Picking Begins in Patroda; Farmers Worried Over Low Yield
The picking of narma (cotton) has commenced in the village of Patroda, Rajasthan. Farmers are concerned about the low yield this season. According to them, the crop suffered due to unfavorable weather conditions, a lack of rainfall, and insufficient water for irrigation. Farmer Sachin stated that there was not enough irrigation water for the narma crop this year. Plant growth was also stunted due to scanty rainfall. Meanwhile, cultivation costs—including sowing, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticide application—have risen. Despite this, production is falling short of expectations. Farmers report that the first round of picking is yielding approximately 1.5 to 2 quintals per bigha, whereas last year, the yield during the first picking ranged from 3 to 4 quintals per bigha. In other words, the yield from the first picking has dropped to nearly half of what it was last year. The area sown with narma in the region was also lower this season. Even those who did cultivate the crop are distressed by the poor yield. Farmers say that rising costs and declining production have dashed their hopes and rendered their hard work futile.
Cotton Picking Accelerates in Khargone Amid Rain Fears, Market Arrivals Fall 50%
Saturday, 26th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Cotton picking accelerates in Khargone due to rain fears; weather monitored until Sept 28; market arrivals drop by 50%
The prospect of rain during the final phase of the monsoon has heightened concerns among cotton farmers in Khargone district. Farmers are rapidly picking cotton to protect the ready crop in their fields from potential rain damage. Following recent rainfall in the Bhagwanpura and Khargone regions, farmers are striving to harvest the mature crop quickly and move it to safe storage.
Cotton arrivals at the market drop due to rain fears
The apprehension regarding rain is impacting cotton arrivals at the Khargone market. Local reports indicate that cotton arrivals have declined by approximately 50 percent. Data shows that cotton arrived via 33 bullock carts and 108 other vehicles. Prices are reported to range between ₹7,300 and ₹8,700 per quintal.
Available market records show variations in cotton prices across different days and markets in the Khargone region during September. Therefore, it is appropriate to view prices based on the day's specific arrivals and quality rather than relying on a single fixed market rate.
Labor shortage drives up picking costs
A shortage of laborers for cotton picking is adding to the farmers' woes. To ensure quick harvesting before the rains, farmers are having to pay wages of around ₹7 to ₹8 per kilogram. Farmer Suresh Patel notes that laborers are not easily available. The need for rapid harvesting due to the rain forecast is driving up costs.
Monitoring the weather from September 25 to 28
The IMD's agrometeorological platform indicates a likelihood of rain on September 25 and 26, whereas forecasts for September 27 and 28 show minimal or negligible rainfall across several regions. Therefore, continuous heavy rainfall across western Madhya Pradesh from September 25 to 28 has not been stated as a certainty.
In Khargone, farmers are primarily concerned about protecting their ready-to-harvest cotton from the rain and completing the picking process on time. Consequently, farmers and market traders are keeping a close watch on the next weather update.
CCI Cuts Cotton Prices by ₹1,400 per Candy; Weekly Auction Sales at 10,700 Bales
Saturday, 26th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
CCI Cuts Cotton Prices by ₹1,400 per Candy; Weekly Auction Sales at 10,700 Bales
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) reduced its cotton selling price by ₹1,400 per candy during the week ended 25
September 2026. During the week, CCI sold approximately 10,700 bales of cotton from the 2025–26 crop through its auctions.
Day-Wise CCI Auction Performance
September 21, 2026 (Monday)
CCI began the week with sales of 2,200 bales, with mills purchasing 1,100 bales and traders buying 1,100 bales.
September 22, 2026 (Tuesday)
A total of 1,200 bales were sold. Mills purchased 600 bales, while traders accounted for the remaining 600 bales.
September 23, 2026 (Wednesday)
CCI sold 1,500 bales, including 1,000 bales purchased by mills and 500 bales by traders.
September 24, 2026 (Thursday)
Auction activity surged, with CCI selling 5,100 bales. Mills purchased 600 bales, while traders bought 4,500 bales.
September 25, 2026 (Friday)
The week concluded with sales of 700 bales, comprising 300 bales purchased by mills and 400 bales by traders.
Cumulative Sales
With the latest auction activity, CCI’s cumulative cotton sales for the 2025–26 season reached approximately 94.40 lakh bales.
CCI Cotton Prices Cut, Sales Reach 94.40 Lakh Bales
Monday, 28th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
State-wise CCI Cotton Sales Details – 2025-26 Season
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) decreased its cotton candy prices by upto ₹1,400 per candy during this week . CCI has sold approximately 94,40,400 cotton bales for the 2025-26 season. Sales are highly concentrated in a few major cotton-producing states, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat emerging as the leading contributors.
Gadkari ji Pushes India as Cotton Exporter
Monday, 28th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
India Must Become a Cotton Exporter, Not an Importer: Gadkari Emphasizes Technology and Quality Addressing ginners, traders, millers, brokers, and exporters from across the country at the All India Cotton Summit 2026, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari stated that cotton is a vital cash crop for the Indian economy and its farmers. He emphasized that increasing productivity per acre and reducing production costs should be the top priorities for the cotton sector. Gadkari urged stakeholders in the cotton industry to provide farmers with better seeds, modern technology, and guidance on scientific farming practices. He noted that superior seeds, modern ginning and pressing processes, and high-quality produce would boost India's cotton export potential, benefiting farmers, ginners, traders, and the entire textile industry.
He pointed out that cotton productivity in India remains low and stressed the need to increase per-acre output through higher crop density. He called for increased adoption of technologies such as AI, satellites, and drones in the future, noting that AI and satellite technology can provide crucial information regarding weather, pest/disease outbreaks, and fertilizer requirements. He also advocated for organizing farmer workshops in cotton-growing regions to raise awareness about these new technologies. Emphasizing the importance of quality, Gadkari advised against mixing cotton of varying grades; instead, he suggested preparing separate bales based on quality standards. He remarked that honesty, transparency, reliability, and goodwill are the greatest assets of the 21st century, warning that compromising quality for short-term gains could harm the brand value and export prospects of Indian cotton. He also highlighted the gap between domestic production—approximately 290 lakh tonnes—and consumption—around 340 lakh tonnes—noting a deficit of about 50 lakh tonnes. Referring to the projected import of approximately 6 million tonnes of cotton in 2025-26, he stated that India must move towards reducing imports and increasing exports.Gadkari also emphasized the use of drone technology in agriculture. Citing the example of drone-based spraying of nano-urea and nano-fertilizers, he noted that this enables more efficient use of inputs. He also highlighted the need to gradually transition agricultural equipment to electric and solar power. He identified the reduction of logistics costs as crucial for export competitiveness. He noted that utilizing the Nagpur-Haldia route and river transport for shipping cotton from Vidarbha to Bangladesh could reduce transit time from approximately 27 days to 15 days and lower costs by about 10%. Citing Israel's high cotton productivity per acre as an example, Gadkari stressed the need to boost productivity in India. He emphasized increasing farmers' income and production capacity through the Government of India's Cotton Mission, as well as the use of superior seeds and technology. Additionally, he praised Maharashtra's textile schemes while underscoring the importance of timely disbursement of the associated incentives.
Giriraj Singh Pushes 35% Lint Recovery
Monday, 28th Sep 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Major Shift in the Cotton Sector! Giriraj Singh Urges Ginners to Achieve Over 35% Lint Recovery
Addressing ginners, traders, millers, brokers, and exporters from across the country at the All India Cotton Summit 2026, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh stated that the entire cotton value chain—including ginning, milling, and weaving—cannot progress without the farmers. He urged the industry to support farmers and adopt modern technologies. Giriraj Singh noted that the cotton industry is rapidly moving towards modern machinery and new technologies. Consequently, ginners must also update their machinery and technology in step with the times. He pointed out that many ginning units still operate using outdated technology, resulting in a lint recovery rate of only 32–33% from the raw cotton. Although India is one of the world's leading cotton producers, it often has to import cotton to meet domestic demand; therefore, increasing lint recovery and quality is essential. Emphasizing soil quality, the Minister highlighted that in many fields, the carbon content does not exceed 0.3–0.6%. He stated that a lack of sufficient carbon in the fields can adversely affect soil quality and productivity. Thus, farmers need to adopt better agricultural practices to improve soil quality. Offering a suggestion to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), Giriraj Singh proposed considering an incentive system based on competition among ginners who achieve lint recovery rates exceeding 35%. Conversely, he suggested a review of units yielding less than 33% lint recovery. He called upon all ginners to strive for lint recovery rates above 35% by adopting modern technology. He also mentioned that the 'Cotton App' has enhanced transparency in the cotton procurement process, with over 4.2 million (42 lakh) farmers already connected to the platform. Several states have also made efforts to link their farmer-friendly schemes with the CCI App. He stated that the sustainable development of the entire cotton sector would be possible only when farmers become strong.
Agrinnovate India Facilitates ICAR Partnerships with Industry for CSR Support in Agriculture
Friday, 25th Sep 2026, Source: www.pib.gov.in)
15th Annual General Meeting and 71st Board Meeting of Agrinnovate India Ltd. held in New Delhi
The 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 71st Board Meeting of Agrinnovate India Ltd. Was held on 24 September 2026 in New Delhi. On this occasion the Agrinnovate India Ltd. also facilitated the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between ICAR and three industry partners M/s Pidilite Industries Ltd., M/s Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Everest Instruments Pvt. Ltd. The partnerships seek to leverage corporate CSR support for public-benefit initiatives in agriculture and allied sectors. The occasion was graced by Dr M. L. Jat, Director General, ICAR and Chairman, Agrinnovate India Ltd.; Shri Gyanendra Tripathi, Secretary, ICAR and Vice-Chairman, Agrinnovate India Ltd.; Shri Sandeep Sarkar, Financial Advisor, ICAR; Dr Praveen Malik, CEO, Agrinnovate India Ltd.; members of the Board of Directors of Agrinnovate India Ltd.; the Agrinnovate team; and other senior officials of ICAR.
The collaborations cover a range of priority areas, including sustainable agri-food systems; climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management; livelihood enhancement and technology transfer; women and youth empowerment; agri-startups, incubation and rural entrepreneurship; digital innovation and capacity building; nutrition-sensitive agriculture, biofortification, food processing and value-chain development; farm mechanisation; education and knowledge partnerships; and One Health, along with other mutually agreed areas.
The Agrinnovate India Ltd., the agribusiness, innovation and technology commercialization and CSR fund-mobilizing arm of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
