India: Cotton and Products Update

On November 5, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare published a marketing year 2024/25 production forecast at the lowest level in five years, at 23.4 million 480 lb. bales on an area of 11.4 million hectares. FAS Mumbai forecasts MY 2024/25 India cotton production at 25 million 480 lb. bales on an area of 11.8 million hectares, unchanged from the previous forecast. All India yields are forecast at 461 kilograms per hectare, the highest in four years on improved soil moisture and water availability, and no major reports of pest incidences. The government has begun procuring cotton under minimum support prices (MSP), as slow domestic demand is keeping prices low, although industry is showing resilience through export opportunities for value added textile products.