Cotton prices have firmed up further, crossing the ₹60,000-mark per candy (356 kg) for the first time this season on strong demand. Domestic prices are following the global futures prices on ICE, which inched up to trade over 73 cents per pound for July delivery on Friday, the highest since June 2024.

On Friday, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) increased the prices by ₹300 per candy. In the past two weeks, the CCI has increased prices by around ₹1,400 per candy and by about ₹4,500 in the past few months.

Meanwhile the global production is forecast up nearly 900,000 bales (480 pounds) to 121.9 million as larger crops in China, India and Pakistan more than offset a smaller crop in Argentina, the USDA said. Also the global consumption is forecast up nearly 600,000 bales to 119.1 million as increased demand in China and India more than offset lower demand in Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Above MSP

“The cotton market is strong. However, there’s resistance for yarn at higher prices. Hence at these levels, cotton prices should stabilise as the market has firmed up only due to the uptrend in ICE. There is not much demand from mills buying on cash. Only mills with longer payment terms are buying from traders. As such the trade is expecting a better crop than earlier expectations,” said Ramanuj Das Boob, a sourcing agent in Raichur.

In Raichur, the prices of raw cotton or kapas touched the ₹9,000 per quintal on Friday. In some markets the cotton has been hovering above the minimum support price levels for some time now.

Anand Poppat of Cotyarn Tradelink in Rajkot said the rise in domestic prices is tracking the futures price trend on ICE market. From 62-63 cents per pound a couple of months earlier, the prices have moved up to cross 73 cents. Demand from multinationals is also aiding the trend, he said.

Further the Chinese buying of yarn is also supporting the prices. “The 30 CCH (combed capacity hosiery) yarn prices have moved up by ₹55-60 per kg in the past few weeks. From around ₹235 per kg, the 30 CCH yarn prices have moved up to ₹295 per kg on Chinese buying,” Poppat said.

According to the trade, the total cotton arrivals till March end are estimates at about 294 lakh bales of 170 kg each with the maximum in Maharashtra at 95.25 lakh bales and Gujarat at 59 lakh bales. In Telangana, the arrivals stood at 46.80 lakh bales and Karnataka at 25 lakh bales.

Published on April 10, 2026