New Delhi—India produced 290.91 lakh bales of cotton in 2025-26, reinforcing the crop’s status as the country’s “white gold,” according to a government factsheet released Monday.
India ranks first globally in cotton acreage and second in both production and consumption. Domestic consumption reached 328 lakh bales during the year, while the country accounted for nearly 19% of global fiber production.
About 6 million farmers cultivate cotton across 114.84 lakh hectares nationwide. The sector also supports an estimated 40 million to 50 million people working in processing, trade and other related activities.
Government initiatives are focused on raising productivity, improving quality, expanding market access and increasing value-added production. Minimum support price operations continue to protect farmers during market downturns, while the Mission for Cotton Productivity aims to increase national output to 498 lakh bales by 2031.
Technology demonstrations, digital procurement systems and traceability programs are also being introduced to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.
Cotton remains an important source of export revenue through shipments of fiber, yarn, fabrics, garments and other finished products. India exported an estimated 18 lakh bales, or 310,000 metric tons, in 2024-25, representing about 3.37% of global cotton exports.
The value of India’s cotton exports reached $11.49 billion in fiscal 2025. The United States was the largest market for Indian cotton fabrics and made-up products, accounting for 26.35% of exports, followed by Bangladesh at 19.81% and Sri Lanka at 5.11%.
The United Kingdom accounted for 2.38% of exports, while the United Arab Emirates represented 2.32%.
Cotton production is concentrated in nine states across three major agricultural zones. The northern zone includes Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan; the central zone includes Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh; and the southern zone includes Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Cotton is also grown in Odisha and Tamil Nadu. (Source: IANS)
