TNAU sees ₹75-80/kg cotton price during harvest

The forecast is based on an analysis of cotton prices at the Moolanur regulated market over the past 20 years.

Prices of good-quality cotton are expected to rule at around ₹75-80 a kg during the upcoming harvest season, according to a pre-sowing price forecast by the Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).The forecast is based on an analysis of cotton prices at the Moolanur regulated market over the past 20 years. TNAU has advised farmers to factor in the projected prices while taking their sowing decisions.India ranks first globally in cotton acreage and second in production and consumption. According to the Second Advance Estimates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for 2025-26, cotton was cultivated across 114.82 lakh hectares, with production estimated at 49.455 lakh tonnes and productivity at 431 kg a hectare.Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are the major cotton-producing States.Monsoon holds keyTamil Nadu accounted for 1.02 lakh hectares under cotton in 2024-25, with production at 3.80 lakh tonnes and productivity at 350 kg a hectare. Tiruvarur, Virudhunagar, Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli and Salem are among the major cotton-growing districts in the State.Bt hybrids, Varalakshmi and Suvin are the major varieties cultivated in Tamil Nadu.Trade sources said cotton prices could, however, vary depending on the performance of the southwest monsoon and the extent of arrivals from other major cotton-growing States. TNAU also flagged the potential impact of the El Niño climate phenomenon on the monsoon and, consequently, on cotton prices.India is a major cotton producer and exporter, though it imports less than 10 per cent of its domestic consumption requirements, mainly to meet specific quality requirements of the textile industry.Published on August 23, 2026