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Gujarat–Maharashtra: Delayed Rain Threatens Cotton Crop; Farmers Face Risk of Re-sowingCotton farmers in the Segva-Simli village of Bodeli Taluka (Chhota Udepur district, Gujarat) and Shevgaon Taluka (Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra) are increasingly concerned due to the lack of timely rainfall. Farmers had completed sowing after the initial rains, and the plants had already sprouted. However, the absence of rain over the past several days has led to a depletion of soil moisture, raising fears that crop growth will be stunted.Cotton is a major Kharif crop in both regions, supporting a large number of farmers. They have invested significant amounts in seeds, fertilizers, labor, and land preparation. While they had anticipated the monsoon would progress on schedule, the current dry spell has heightened their anxiety. Prolonged dry weather is slowing the growth of cotton plants in many fields, with some plants even showing signs of wilting and drying up.In Maharashtra's Shevgaon Taluka, the lack of rain for the past 15 days has raised fears of having to re-sow the crop. Farmer Yalappa Kusalkar stated that he had invested heavily in cultivating cotton on three acres, but the crop is suffering due to the lack of rain. He noted that if it does not rain soon, farmers will face the additional burden of purchasing seeds and other agricultural inputs all over again.Farmers in Gujarat's Segva-Simli and surrounding areas emphasize that adequate soil moisture is crucial for the early stages of cotton growth. Further delays in rainfall could halt plant development and necessitate re-sowing in some fields. This would not only increase costs for farmers but could also adversely affect overall production.Agricultural experts have advised farmers to monitor their fields regularly and adjust their farming practices according to weather conditions. They suggest that if sufficient rainfall occurs soon, the cotton crop can still be saved from damage. However, a prolonged delay in rainfall could increase the likelihood of reduced production and financial losses.Currently, cotton farmers in Gujarat and Maharashtra are awaiting good monsoon rains so that their crops can receive the necessary moisture and their hard work can yield successful results.

Maharashtra: Digras Spinning Mill Ships First Cotton Yarn to China; Vidarbha’s Cotton Industry Gains Global RecognitionThe 'Ramdas Athawale Backward Class Cotton Growers Cooperative Spinning Mill' in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region has entered the international market by making its first export of cotton yarn to China. The first container was dispatched via sea route after the high-quality yarn produced at this Digras-based cooperative spinning mill gained acceptance in the Chinese market. This is being hailed as a significant milestone for Vidarbha's cotton processing industry and local farmers.Registered in 2019, the cooperative spinning mill commenced commercial production in 2025. In a short span, it has established itself among the state's leading cooperative spinning mills through the production of high-quality yarn. The organization claims to be the first among cooperative spinning mills registered in the last decade to successfully launch production and mark its presence in the market.Prior to the export, a team of Chinese experts conducted detailed technical tests on the yarn produced at the mill. Approval for export to the Chinese market was granted only after the product met all international standards. Mill Founder-Chairman Milind Mankar stated that the yarn produced in Digras is now attracting demand from other countries as well, indicating a potential increase in exports in the future.According to Mill Chairman Mahendra Mankar, the production of international-quality yarn is made possible by modern automated machinery, an experienced technical team, efficient management, and the hard work of the staff. He noted that the project was successfully completed and production launched despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.The project was realized with the support of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, and Guardian Minister Sanjay Rathod. A formal *puja* (ceremony) was held at the mill premises before dispatching the first export container, attended by the board of directors, officials, and staff.The mill has produced approximately 5,500 tonnes of cotton yarn over the past 18 months. It has an approved capacity of 25,000 spindles, of which 16,500 are currently operational. The mill is producing 10 to 12 tonnes of yarn daily. The management believes that this initial export to China will pave the way for access to new international markets in the future, yielding long-term benefits for both the cotton-growing farmers of Vidarbha and the region's textile industry.READ MORE :- CCI Raises Cotton Candy Prices by ₹800, Weekly Auctions Reach 3.18 Lakh Bales

CCI Increases Cotton Candy Prices by ₹800 as Weekly Auctions Touch 3.18 Lakh BalesThe Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) increased its cotton selling prices by ₹800 per candy during the week ended July 17, 2026. Strong participation from textile mills and cotton traders was witnessed in the auctions, resulting in total weekly sales of about 3,18,000 bales from the 2025–26 crop season.Day-wise Auction PerformanceJuly 13, 2026 (Monday):The week began on a strong note, with the highest auction sales of 1,31,100 bales. Mills purchased 48,500 bales, while traders lifted 82,600 bales.July 14, 2026 (Tuesday):CCI auction sales stood at 1,13,600 bales. Mills purchased 44,200 bales, while traders lifted 69,400 bales.July 15, 2026 (Wednesday):Auction activity moderated, with total sales of 29,100 bales. Mills bought 15,600 bales, while traders purchased 13,500 bales.July 16, 2026 (Thursday):CCI recorded total sales of 40,700 bales during the day. Mills purchased 6,100 bales, while traders lifted 34,600 bales.July 17, 2026 (Friday):The week ended with the sales of 3,500 bales. Mills purchased 1,500 bales, while traders bought 2,000 bales.Cumulative Sales UpdateWith the latest auctions, CCI's cumulative cotton sales for the 2025–26 season have reached 85,04,800 bales.READ MORE :- Global Cotton Rally May Face Brazil Supply Test as Production Expansion Looms

Global Cotton Rally May Face Brazil Test as Higher Prices Spur Production ExpansionGlobal cotton prices are recovering after two years of weak returns as synchronized production declines across major exporting countries tighten supplies and improving import demand supports market sentiment. While the outlook remains constructive for the second half of 2026, analysts say the next supply cycle particularly in Brazil could determine whether the rally is sustained.Raphael Bulascoschi, Market Intelligence Analyst at StoneX Brazil, said the current market is benefiting from reduced output across key exporters, but warned that attention is already shifting toward the 2027 crop cycle. "The base case is constructive for the second half of 2026," he said, adding that questions remain over the long-term sustainability of higher prices.Brazil, the world's largest cotton exporter, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping future supply. According to Bulascoschi, improved profitability is making cotton a more attractive option than second-crop corn, encouraging farmers to expand planted acreage if current price incentives persist. Higher Brazilian production could gradually offset today's tightening global supplies and reshape market dynamics.As traders increasingly focus on Southern Hemisphere planting decisions rather than current inventories, Brazil's production response is emerging as one of the key variables for the global cotton market. A strong expansion in acreage could ease supply concerns during 2027, while limited growth would keep the market supported for longer.READ MORE :- Rupee higher 01 Paise, Closes at 96.28 Against US Dollar

On Friday, the Indian rupee opened at 96.29 against the US dollar and closed at 96.28, marking a higher of 01 paise for the trading session.At close, the Sensex was up 964.58 points or 1.25 percent at 78,151.45, and the Nifty was up 261.55 points or 1.09 percent at 24,334.30. About 1632 shares advanced, 2419 shares declined, and 175 shares unchanged.read more :- ICAR-SBI to Commercialize New Gene Targeting Pink Bollworm in Cotton by 2030

ICAR-SBI Prepares to Commercialize New Gene Targeting Pink BollwormThe Coimbatore-based ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (ICAR-SBI) has taken a significant step towards commercializing a newly discovered crystal toxin gene that is effective against the pink bollworm. The institute is working on a plan to develop transgenic cotton hybrids and make commercial seeds available to farmers by 2030 under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.The pink bollworm has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for Bollgard II cotton cultivation in India. To address this and to boost cotton production while halting the decline in cultivation acreage, scientists at ICAR-SBI have successfully isolated a new crystal toxin gene from *Bacillus thuringiensis* after more than 15 years of research.Institute Director P. Govindaraj stated that one of the newly discovered genes has proven effective even against pink bollworm populations that have developed resistance to the Bollgard II technology. He noted that this discovery could play a crucial role in developing more sustainable and pest-resistant cotton varieties in the future.B. Singaravelu, a principal scientist at the institute, said that a partnership with the private sector would be established to advance this high-value technology and rapidly bring the research findings to farmers.In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between ICAR-SBI and Rasi Seeds in New Delhi in the presence of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development. The partnership aims to develop transgenic cotton hybrids based on this new technology and make them available on a commercial scale.READ MORE :-India May Become Major US Cotton Importer in 2026 Amid Rising Demand

India Could Become a Key Buyer of US Cotton This YearThe US expects India to emerge as a major importer of its cotton by 2026. Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council of America, stated that India is currently vying for the position of the fourth-largest market for US cotton. He believes that import demand could rise further due to a shrinking cotton cultivation area in India and uncertainties surrounding the monsoon.In its latest report, Cotton: World Markets and Trade, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has raised its forecast for India's cotton imports for the 2025-26 season to 5.69 million bales, up from the previous estimate of 5.318 million bales. Meanwhile, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) has projected imports in the range of 6.0–6.5 million bales. The government's temporary removal of the 11 percent import duty on long-staple cotton is also expected to boost imports.Adams noted that Vietnam was the largest buyer of US cotton last year, while Bangladesh's textile industry continues to maintain strong demand. In contrast, demand for US cotton in China has remained weak due to US-China trade tensions.The USDA projects that global cotton consumption could rise by 1.5 to 2 percent in the 2026-27 season. However, rising energy and crude oil prices remain a concern for the industry. Higher oil prices have made synthetic fibers more expensive, thereby supporting demand for natural fibers, particularly cotton.Adams stated that the cost of cotton production in the US has risen by approximately 20 percent over the last two to three years due to increasing costs of fertilizers, fuel, chemicals, and labor. Additionally, drought conditions in the US Cotton Belt could impact production.He added that consumers are shifting back towards natural fibers due to growing awareness regarding microplastics. There is immense potential for cooperation between the US and India in the cotton and textile sectors, and trade between the two countries is expected to strengthen further in the coming years.READ MORE :- Rupee Opens 6 Paise Higher at 96.29

Rupee strengthens by 6 paise against the US dollar to open at 96.29On Friday, the Indian rupee opened 6 paise higher against the dollar at 96.29, compared to its previous close of 96.35 on Thursday.Stock Market Live Updates: Indian equity benchmarks saw a tepid open on Friday as traders assess US-Iran tensions. At the open, Sensex was up over 200 points while Nifty gained 50 points.read more :- Andhra Pradesh Secures ₹4,100 Crore Textile Investment Commitments at Bharat Tex 2026

Andhra Pradesh Secures Investment Commitments Worth ₹4,100 Crore for Textile Sector at 'Bharat Tex 2026'New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh has secured investment commitments totaling ₹4,100 crore for textile projects at the 'Bharat Tex 2026' event. Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on the second day of the event, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.These agreements were executed under the supervision of G. Rekha Rani, the Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles for Andhra Pradesh. This initiative is part of the state government's efforts to attract investment and strengthen the textile and garment industry.One of the agreements proposes the establishment of a sustainable textile recycling facility in Visakhapatnam with an investment of up to ₹4,000 crore. The second agreement involves setting up a garment manufacturing unit with an investment of ₹100 crore. This unit is expected to generate direct and indirect employment for approximately 3,000 people.Meanwhile, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurated the 'Lepakshi Handicrafts' stall. The stall showcases Andhra Pradesh's rich handloom heritage, handicrafts, textile capabilities, and investment potential. Organized by the Union Ministry of Textiles, the 'Bharat Tex 2026' event will continue until July 17.Rajya Sabha member V. Vijayendra Prasad visited the Andhra Pradesh pavilion and remarked that the state's handloom sector holds significant potential in international markets. He emphasized the need to adopt new technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR), to enable skilled weavers to connect directly with global buyers.He also highlighted the growing demand for authentic, handcrafted, and culturally significant products among the Indian diaspora and foreign customers, particularly in the United States. He stated that Andhra Pradesh is well-positioned to emerge as a major global sourcing hub for handloom and textile products.Pasupuleti Hari Prasad, Chairman of the Lepakshi Handicrafts Development Corporation, commended the Department of Handlooms and Textiles for showcasing Andhra Pradesh's traditional handloom heritage alongside its modern textile and garment industry. He noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the state government is committed to accelerating the sector's growth through investment-friendly policies and infrastructure development. The Andhra Pradesh pavilion in Hall No. 9 displays a range of handloom, textile, fabric, and garment products. It also features GI-tagged and 'One District One Product' (ODOP) items from organizations and textile parks such as Guntur Textile Park, Tarkeshwar Textile Park, Harish Fashions, APCO, and Magic Weaves.Representatives from the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) also expressed interest in collaborating on awareness and capacity-building programs regarding exports for textile MSMEs.Officials stated that the state's participation in 'Bharat Tex 2026' is expected to attract new investments, strengthen export ties, and enhance access to global markets. Andhra Pradesh is home to over 15,000 textile MSMEs, more than 140 large textile units, and approximately 35,000 power looms, with textile exports valued at around US$ 444 million.READ MORE :- India-UK Trade Pact Comes Into Effect, Boosts Exports and Lowers Import Costs

India-UK Trade Pact Begins: Cheaper Imports, Bigger Export OpportunitiesIndia and the United Kingdom have officially implemented their Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), marking a major milestone in bilateral economic relations. The agreement, effective from Wednesday, eliminates or reduces tariffs on thousands of products, making several goods cheaper while opening new opportunities for businesses and professionals in both countries.Under the pact, the UK has removed duties on nearly all Indian exports, giving sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, marine products, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, chemicals and processed foods duty-free access to the British market. Indian spices, fruits and vegetables are also expected to become more competitive in the UK.For Indian consumers, imported British products including whisky, chocolates, cosmetics, soft drinks, lamb, premium automobiles, medical devices and optical equipment are set to become more affordable as tariffs are reduced in phases.The agreement also strengthens trade in services by boosting opportunities in IT, financial services, healthcare, education, engineering and consultancy. Indian professionals temporarily working in the UK will be exempt from paying National Insurance contributions for up to five years.According to the UK government, India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 90% of tariff lines, while Britain has removed duties on 96.8% of tariff lines covering 97.7% of existing trade. However, sensitive sectors such as poultry, eggs, sugar and dairy remain outside the scope of the agreement.The India-UK trade pact is expected to deepen investment, expand market access and strengthen economic cooperation, making it one of the most significant bilateral trade agreements between the two nations in recent years.READ MORE :- US Tariff Talks, Rising Shipping Costs Challenge Indian Textile Exporters

US Tariff Talks and Rising Shipping Costs Pose Challenges for Indian Textile ExportersIndian textile and garment exporters are currently facing uncertainty due to tariff negotiations with the US and escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia. While demand remains stable, global buyers are avoiding large, long-term orders until there is clarity regarding trade policy. Instead, to mitigate risk, they are placing smaller, frequent orders—a shift that could increase operational costs and complexity for Indian exporters.Discussions scheduled for later this month regarding the potential US tariff framework are considered crucial for the industry. Until the trade policy situation becomes clear, investors should closely monitor companies that derive a significant portion of their business from the US market.Rising Cotton Prices Put Pressure on MarginsRaw material costs play a pivotal role in the profitability of the textile industry. After remaining stable for a period, cotton prices have surged again. As of July 14, 2026, the spot price for benchmark 29mm cotton in Gujarat stood at approximately ₹65,000 per candy, while 28mm cotton was priced at ₹64,200 per candy.Cotton futures prices on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in the international market have also risen, recording an increase of over 6% during the second week of July. The sustained rise in raw material costs, coupled with the inability to pass this increased burden on to customers, could exert pressure on companies' profit margins.Dependence on raw materials varies across different segments of the textile sector. Home textile companies rely primarily on cotton, whereas garment manufacturers depend more heavily on synthetic fibers like polyester. Consequently, fluctuations in the prices of cotton and petrochemical-based raw materials can impact these companies differently. Geopolitical Tensions Heighten Logistics RisksEscalating tensions in West Asia are raising concerns regarding shipping costs and supply chains. Regional instability could drive up freight charges and increase the risk of delivery delays. While some companies pass a portion of logistics costs on to buyers through Free-on-Board (FOB) terms, the rising costs of packaging and synthetic materials could impact the entire industry.The US is a key export market for Indian textile products, with bilateral textile trade valued at approximately $10.5 billion. However, industry experts note that Indian textile companies' overall reliance on the US market is limited, accounting for roughly 8–10% of total revenue.Hopes Pinched on UK and EU Trade DealsLooking ahead, the Indian textile industry is eyeing potential trade agreements with the UK and the EU. These agreements could enhance market access and cost competitiveness for Indian companies. However, industry management believes the full benefits of these initiatives may only become visible by the fourth quarter of FY27.Investors should monitor export volumes, US tariff negotiations, raw material prices, and logistics costs, alongside the companies' ability to maintain profit margins in the period ahead.READ MORE :- Cotton, Maize and Soybean Crops Face Threat as Erratic Rainfall Distresses Pachora Farmers