The Government of India has extended the import duty exemption on cotton till 31st December 2025, as notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. Duty-free cotton imports help control the cost of raw material across the textile value chain, yarn, fabric, garments and made-ups.
Production and Consumption of Cotton in India
- India is the only country which grows all four species of cotton G. Arboreum & G. Herbaceum which are Asian cotton, G. Barbadense which are Egyptian cotton and G. Hirsutum which are American Upland cotton.
- Majority of cotton production comes from 9 major cotton growing states which are grouped into three diverse agro-ecological zones as mention Below :
- Northern Zone : Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- Central Zone : Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
- Southern Zone : Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
- Apart from the above the cotton is also grown in the state of Odisha and Tamil Nadu.
- India is the 2nd largest producer in the world with estimated production of 5.84 Million Metric Tonnes during cotton season 2022-23 i.e. 23.83% of world cotton production.
- India is also the 2nd largest consumer of cotton in the world with estimated consumption of 22.24% of world cotton consumption
The top cotton-producing states in India for 2025 are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Rajasthan and Karnataka. Maharashtra is in the lead with about 89.09 lakh bales. Gujarat follows with 71.34 lakh bales, then Telangana with 49.86 lakh bales. Karnataka produces 19.15 lakh bales while Rajasthan has 18.45 lakh bales. These states have favorable climates, fertile soils and use improved farming methods like Bt cotton and micro-irrigation. visit here
India is a major cotton producer with key states driving production. However, its cotton sector will face challenges in 2025, including production fluctuations, a decrease in acreage and reliance on imports. Improving productivity and stabilizing output will be vital for maintaining its status as a global cotton leader. for Economy link yourself here
