Cotlook Index: 01-10-2026
89.15 (-0.30)
Cotlook Index: 02-10-2026
88.35 (-0.80)
India, Switzerland expand trade ties, sign mobility agreements
Monday, 5th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: India and Switzerland agreed in New Delhi to widen market access for Indian exports, including textiles, after Modi-Parmelin talks. New pacts on migration, young professionals and transport aim to support trade, investment and trusted supply chains.Modi linked the push to the India-EFTA TEPA, implemented in October last year, targeting $100 billion investment and 1 million direct jobs.
India and Switzerland today agreed to widen market access for Indian exports, including textiles, and signed new agreements covering migration and mobility, young professionals, and transport, mobility and infrastructure after talks in New Delhi between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Modi said the decisions would support exports of Indian agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and engineering goods to Switzerland, while also encouraging Swiss investment in India in areas such as biotechnology, life sciences, banking, insurance, food processing and sustainability. "We invite Swiss infrastructure companies to invest in India at a large scale and participate in capacity building, design, and manufacturing," he said. Prime Minister Modi added the two countries had taken several decisions to expand Swiss market access for Indian exports and further facilitate investment between the two economies. He said the initiatives would help India and Switzerland develop trusted supply chains and reliable solutions, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a press release.
Modi linked the current engagement to the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. The TEPA was implemented in October last year and is India’s first free trade agreement (FTA) with an economic bloc in Europe. The PM said the agreement targets $100 billion in investment in India and 1 million direct jobs over the next 15 years. The two sides also signed an agreement on transport, mobility and infrastructure. The Indian PM also extended support to Switzerland for the Geneva AI Summit next year.
Brazil cotton prices fall 4.38% in September amid weak demand
Monday, 5th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: Brazilian cotton prices fell 4.38 per cent in September to BRL 4.1738 per pound ($0.80) amid weak spot-market trading, flexible selling and cautious demand.Meanwhile, Brazilian cotton exports accelerated, while global cotton consumption in 2026-27 is projected to exceed production by around 4 per cent, according to Cotton Outlook, supporting a tighter global market outlook.
Brazilian cotton prices fell 4.38 per cent in September as trading remained weak, with sellers adopting a more flexible stance while buyers limited purchases to immediate requirements or sought lower prices amid sluggish sales of manufactured products. The CEPEA/ESALQ Cotton Index, with payment in eight days, declined to BRL 4.1738 per pound ($0.80) on September 30, from August 31, taking prices below BRL 4.20 per pound. Spot-market trading remained sporadic as market participants focused on fulfilling previously agreed forward contracts, particularly those for exports. According to data from the Brazilian Commodity Exchange (BBM), contracts registered through September 29 for the 2024-25 crop totalled 1.467 million tonnes, equivalent to 36 per cent of Brazil’s production estimated by Conab. For the 2025-26 crop, registered contracts stood at 1.124 million tonnes, representing 27 per cent of the production expected by Conab. Of this volume, 624,300 tonnes were destined for the domestic market, 387,700 tonnes for exports and 111,800 tonnes under flexible contracts. For the 2026-27 crop, at least 408,000 tonnes had already been traded, equivalent to 10 per cent of the production projected by Conab. Contracts registered for the 2027-28 crop stood at only 32,000 tonnes. Trading in Mato Grosso, Brazil’s leading cotton-producing state, was also moving at a strong pace. Data from the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (Imea), released on September 7, showed that 75.52 per cent of the 2025-26 crop had already been sold, compared with 68.37 per cent a year earlier and a five-crop average of 75.12 per cent.
For the 2026-27 crop, 39.34 per cent of production had been traded, ahead of 27.82 per cent for the 2025-26 crop at the same stage and the five-season average of 34.48 per cent. Brazilian cotton lint exports accelerated in September. During the first 18 working days of the month, shipments reached 166,000 tonnes, 55.8 per cent above the volume exported in August. However, shipments remained 7.3 per cent below September 2025 levels. Average daily exports stood at 9,200 tonnes, up 13.3 per cent from the 8,130 tonnes shipped per day during the corresponding period last year. On the global front, Cotton Outlook’s September 24 report projected 2026-27 world cotton production at 25.38 million tonnes, 1 per cent higher than its August estimate but 6.37 per cent below the 27.105 million tonnes forecast for 2025-26.Global cotton consumption was projected at 26.42 million tonnes in 2026-27, down 0.20 per cent from the previous monthly estimate and 0.49 per cent from the previous season. Consumption is therefore expected to exceed production by around 4 per cent, although the projected decline in ending stocks is smaller than previously estimated. For Brazil, Cotton Outlook raised its 2026-27 production forecast to 4 million tonnes, 6.67 per cent higher than its August estimate. The estimate for 2025-26 was also revised upwards by 7.71 per cent between August and September to 4.4 million tonnes. Brazilian cotton production in 2026-27 is therefore expected to be 9.09 per cent lower than in 2025-26, while domestic consumption is forecast to rise 2.08 per cent to 735,000 tonnes.The combination of weak spot-market demand, lower prices and high levels of forward contracting is keeping Brazilian cotton trading subdued, even as global consumption is projected to remain above production in the coming season.
US Upland cotton sales ease 12% as Asian demand stays firm: USDA
Monday, 5th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: US Upland cotton net sales for 2026–27 fell 12 per cent to 202,600 RB, but remained above the prior four-week average as Vietnam, Pakistan and China led buying. Upland shipments declined 9 per cent to 149,500 RB, led by Vietnam and India after the previous week's recovery. Pima net sales recorded a reduction of 2,100 RB, a marketing-year low, while shipments fell 21 per cent to 9,300 RB.
US cotton export demand remained comparatively firm in the week ended September 24, 2026, although Upland sales and shipments eased from the sharp rebound recorded a week earlier. Buying interest was led by Vietnam, Pakistan and China, while India remained a major destination for shipments. Pima trade weakened sharply, with net sales turning negative and falling to a marketing-year low. Net sales of Upland cotton for the 2026–27 marketing year totalled 202,600 RB (running bales, each weighing 226.8 kg), down 12 per cent from 230,500 RB in the previous week. Even so, sales remained noticeably above the prior four-week average. Vietnam was the largest buyer with 51,200 RB, including 5,700 RB switched from China and 4,800 RB switched from South Korea, partly offset by decreases of 3,700 RB. Pakistan followed with 40,600 RB, while China bought 38,400 RB. Honduras purchased 22,700 RB and Malaysia 12,100 RB. Reductions were reported for South Korea at 4,800 RB and Japan at 100 RB. In the previous week ended September 17, Upland sales had surged to 230,500 RB from 71,200 RB a week earlier, led by Mexico, Vietnam, Pakistan and India. The latest data therefore showed some moderation after that sharp rebound, though overall demand remained relatively healthy. Net sales for the 2027–28 marketing year stood at 39,200 RB, substantially lower than the previous week’s 123,000 RB. Malaysia accounted for the largest share at 30,800 RB, followed by Honduras with 7,700 RB. Guatemala bought 500 RB and Japan 200 RB. Upland export shipments declined by 9 per cent week on week to 149,500 RB and were 11 per cent below the prior four-week average. Vietnam remained the leading destination with 49,800 RB, followed by India with 25,300 RB, Pakistan with 15,800 RB, Mexico with 15,200 RB and Bangladesh with 10,900 RB. In the previous week, Upland shipments had risen to 164,700 RB, up 16 per cent from the week before. The latest decline therefore partly reversed that recovery. Pima cotton showed a much weaker trend. Net sales for the 2026–27 marketing year recorded a reduction of 2,100 RB, the lowest level of the marketing year. Increases were reported for Turkiye at 500 RB, Vietnam at 500 RB, India at 500 RB switched from Colombia, Bangladesh at 400 RB and Indonesia at 400 RB. These were more than offset by reductions of 4,000 RB for Peru and 500 RB for Colombia This compared with positive Pima net sales of 4,800 RB in the previous week, when Bangladesh, Egypt and China were among the main buyers. Pima export shipments totalled 9,300 RB, down 21 per cent from 11,700 RB in the previous week, though they remained 44 per cent above the prior four-week average. India was by far the largest destination for Pima shipments at 7,600 RB. Turkiye received 600 RB and Bangladesh 500 RB, while Malaysia and Japan each received 200 RB.
Combined current-marketing-year net sales of Upland and Pima cotton stood at about 200,500 RB, down from 235,300 RB in the previous report. Combined shipments declined to 158,800 RB from 176,400 RB a week earlier.
Vietnam textile exports target $47.5 bn on green shift
Sunday, 4th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Vietnam’s textile and garment industry stepped up market diversification, domestic sourcing and green and digital transformation to safeguard export orders amid volatile demand and tighter trade requirements. The sector targeted export revenue of $47 billion–$47.5 billion in 2026, with preliminary turnover reaching $33.66 billion as of September 15.
Insights: Vietnam's textile sector targets $47 billion–$47.5 billion in 2026 exports, with turnover at $33.66 billion by September 15. Producers are diversifying markets and investing in automation, robotics, solar, wastewater upgrades and greener materials. VITAS says specialised parks with centralised wastewater treatment could draw dyeing investment and ease raw-material and accessory bottlenecks.
Recent progress reflected broader market access, technology adoption and stronger value-chain links, accordding to local media reports. Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) chairman Vu Duc Giang attributed the performance to flexible strategies, enterprise adaptability and advances in green and digital transformation. Vietnamese textile and garment products reached 137 countries and territories, with the US accounting for about 40 per cent of overseas shipments. Other established markets included the EU, the Republic of Korea, Japan, China and ASEAN, while Africa and the Middle East offered opportunities for diversification. Giang said green and digital transformation had become essential to the sector’s development during 2026–2030 and its longer-term vision to 2035. Enterprises were adopting automation, robotics and artificial intelligence across management and production. Investment in infrastructure, artificial intelligence and robotics represented around 65-68 per cent of total investment at many enterprises. Manufacturers also gradually invested in rooftop solar power, upgraded wastewater treatment systems and increased their use of environmentally friendly materials, supporting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target for 2050. Giang urged local authorities to develop specialised industrial parks with centralised wastewater treatment facilities meeting international standards. Such infrastructure was expected to attract textile and dyeing investment and ease bottlenecks in domestic supplies of raw materials and accessories.
Cotton Workers’ Rights Gain Focus in MP
Monday, 5th Oct 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Emphasis on Strengthening Workers' Rights in Madhya Pradesh's Cotton-Growing Regions Organizations and stakeholders involved in cotton production in Madhya Pradesh have emphasized the need to promote basic workers' rights and better working conditions within cotton-growing communities. Partners associated with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) ‘RISE for Impact’ project agreed on the necessity for improved coordination, local-level awareness, and linking farmers with government services to sustain the work initiated under the project. According to the ILO, representatives from trade unions, the cotton industry, civil society organizations, and cotton-growing communities met in Indore in August. The meeting reviewed the project's progress, challenges, and lessons learned so far. Participants highlighted the need for better synergy among local leaders, trade unions, community organizations, and government institutions. They also stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of seasonal migration and child labor. A joint report by the ILO and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University of Social Sciences, titled ‘Socio-Economic Assessment of Cotton-Growing Communities in Madhya Pradesh,’ was also released during the Indore event. The report focuses on the situation of farmers with very small landholdings who rely heavily on their own and their family's labor for farming. More than 100 farmers participated in a workshop organized in Ratlam by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) and its affiliate, the Cotton Development and Research Association (CITI-CDRA). Discussions at the workshop covered issues such as labor shortages, declining interest among the youth in agriculture, and the dual burden of paid and unpaid work faced by women farmers. Farmers were informed about labor laws, grievance redressal mechanisms, government schemes, and rural finance. The potential of 'care cooperatives' was also discussed; ILO expert Bharti Birla emphasized the need for affordable, high-quality care services. Meanwhile, the ILO's justice system emphasized the need for effective cooperation among all stakeholders to strengthen workers' rights in rural areas.
Vidarbha Farmers Fear Cotton Price Fall
Monday, 5th Oct 2026, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Farmers Fear Price Drop Due to Potential Extension of Duty-Free Cotton Imports
Amidst cotton crops being affected by scanty rainfall and drought-like conditions, farmers in Vidarbha hope the government will not extend the duty-free cotton import arrangement beyond October 31. Farmers fear that if duty-free imports continue and the influx of foreign cotton rises, it could exert downward pressure on domestic cotton prices. Arrivals of the new cotton crop are expected to begin by mid-October. Cotton imports into India are currently permitted duty-free until October 31. The textile industry is demanding an extension of this period, arguing that rising cotton prices are increasing production costs and could impact mill operations. Conversely, farmers and agricultural experts believe that continued duty-free imports could weaken domestic cotton prices. A significant portion of cotton cultivation in Vidarbha relies on rainfall. In Yavatmal district alone, cotton is cultivated over an area exceeding 4.5 lakh hectares. Reports assessing the drought situation indicate that the growth of cotton plants has been hampered by a lack of rain and heat stress. Instances of boll shedding have also been reported in several areas. According to farmers, a healthy plant typically bears around 40 to 50 bolls, but in many fields, this number has dropped significantly. Shantanu Thakre, a farmer from the Arni tehsil of Yavatmal, stated that his plants are left with barely 10 to 12 bolls each. He added that there is little expectation for a substantial second picking, and future pickings could also be affected by weather conditions. According to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), India's lint yield—the cotton fiber remaining after seeds are removed—is projected to be approximately 431 kilograms per hectare. In comparison, the yield is estimated to be around 2,200 kg per hectare in Brazil and approximately 1,700 kg per hectare in Uzbekistan. This suggests that the availability of cotton in the global market is likely to remain adequate.
Citing the Cotlook Index, cotton sector activist Vijay Jawandhia noted that the global price of cotton stands at around 89 cents per pound. According to him, the price had reached nearly one dollar per pound a week ago but is now showing a downward trend. Farmers fear that under these circumstances, an increase in duty-free imports could exert further pressure on domestic cotton prices.
CCI Cotton Sales Reach 94.47 Lakh Bales
Monday, 5th Oct 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 ₹2,700 per candy during this week . CCI has sold approximately 94,46,700 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.
Sales are 28,36,600 bales in Maharashtra,
24,32,500 bales in Telangana,
17,84,900 bales in Gujarat,
7,11,000 bales in Karnataka,
5,66,500 bales in Madhya Pradesh,
3,28,700 bales in Rajasthan,
2,83,100 bales in Andhra Pradesh,
2,69,500 bales in Odisha,
1,88,400 bales in Haryana,
45,200 bales in Punjab,
and 300 bales in West Bengal.
