India cotton production
Annual cotton output in bales — India is among the world's largest producers.
Cotton production
31.24 mn
2024-25 · in million bales (170 kg)
Trend
The numbers
| 2022-23 | 31.9 |
| 2023-24 | 29.5 |
| 2024-25 | 31.2 |
| 2025-26 est. | 32.4 |
Cotton marketing year (October–September); 1 bale = 170 kg. Figures are Cotton Association of India (CAI) estimates. The 2025-26 season is still running, so that figure is an in-season estimate, not a final one.
What the numbers say
- India is among the world's largest cotton producers; output is measured in bales of 170 kg.
- The Cotton Association of India pegged 2023-24 at 29.51 million bales — the lowest in 15 years — after El Niño cut area and yields; 2024-25 recovered to 31.24 million bales.
- CAI's in-season estimate for 2025-26 has been revised up through the year to 32.4 million bales.
Related
IndianAgri coverage using this data
- China's Yarn Hunger Drives India's Cotton Consumption to Record Highs14 August 2026
- Record Imports Drive India's Cotton Opening Stocks to All-Time High of 93.59 Lakh Bales for 2026-2712 August 2026
- Domestic Cotton Prices Surge on Global Cues, Tight Stocks, and Delayed New Crop11 August 2026
- Cotton Imports Set for Record 60 Lakh Bales in 2025-26 as Mills Chase Duty-Free Window30 July 2026
- India's Cotton Sowing Crosses 100 Lakh Hectares as Monsoon Momentum Builds29 July 2026
- India's Cotton Output Drops 17% in Five Years as Raw Cotton Imports Surge Over 80%24 July 2026
Sources
- Cotton Association of India (CAI)
- Committee on Cotton Production & Consumption — govt estimate (via PIB)
CAI estimates. Government figures differ: the DA&FW Final Estimate for 2024-25 is 297.24 lakh bales (29.72 mn), against CAI's 312.40 lakh bales.
Last reviewed 16 August 2026.