Imports surge in FY25 after temporary duty waiver, aimed at bridging supply gaps and supporting export-oriented textile production
India has ramped up cotton imports from the United States to address quality specifications and supply requirements of the domestic textile sector, which accounts for nearly 94 per cent of the country’s cotton consumption, the government informed Parliament.
“During August–September 2025, including the period following the temporary exemption of the 11 per cent import duty, cotton imports from the USA were in line with the requirements of the industry,” Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita said in a written response to the Rajya Sabha.
Total cotton imports climbed sharply to 41.40 lakh bales in 2024–25, compared with 15.2 lakh bales in the previous financial year, helping to narrow the demand–supply mismatch.
“These imports ensure the availability of specialised cotton varieties and support export-oriented production, thereby enhancing the global competitiveness of India’s textile sector,” the minister said.
In a separate reply, Margherita clarified that imports remain limited and are largely restricted to specialised varieties such as Extra Long Staple cotton. He added that the temporary duty waiver is unlikely to hurt farmers, as minimum support price (MSP) operations continue to provide protection.
Domestic cotton prices have eased in line with global trends to about ₹751,500–₹752,500 per candy, a level that supports affordability for textile manufacturers while safeguarding farmers’ interests and bolstering India’s export competitiveness.
