Amidst an easing trend in international prices, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has reduced the price for the 2025-26 crop by ₹1,400-1,700 per candy (356 kg) to boost its sales. The state-run entity has also reduced the lifting period for buyers from 60 days to 30 days.
“The correction in prices is in line with the international prices,” said Lalit Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, CCI. The state-run entity had started the sale of 2025-26 crop on January 19 and has sold about 4 lakh bales till now, amidst a dull response from the industry.
Also, CCI’s procurement has touched 93 lakh bales of 170 kg each till now, Gupta said. The procurement will go on till the end of this month. CCI is still carrying out procuring operations in states such as Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Output estimate unchanged
Gupta said the local arrivals are continuing and the industry will continue to buy first from the market. The daily arrivals are estimated to be between 1.25-1.5 lakh bales. “Our sales normally picks up after March only” Gupta said.
Ramanuj Das Boob, a sourcing agent in Raichur, said arrivals are good in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana, while they are tapering in Karnataka. “The market prices are lower than the CCI price, and the trade is getting their choice of cotton from the market,” Das Boob said.
Meanwhile, the Cotton Association of India (CAI), which recently revised upwards the crop estimate for 2025-26 by around 2.5 per cent or 7.5 lakh bales of 170 kg each to 317 lakh bales on higher than estimated production in Maharashtra and Telangana, has maintained the projections on Tuesday.
CAI has maintained total cotton consumption during 2025-26 till Sept end at 305 lakh bales of 170 kg each as against previous year’s 314 lakh bales. Till January end, cotton consumption is estimated at 104 lakh bales, CAI President Vinay N Kotak said in a statement.
CAI has projected a year-end surplus 122.59 lakh bales for the 2025-26 season, up 56 per cent year-on-year on record imports of 50 lakh bales during the year. Imports till Jan-end stood higher at 35 lakh bales and exports were 6 lakh bales.
Published on February 10, 2026
