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CAI: India–US Trade Deal Likely to Boost Cotton and Textile SectorIndia’s cotton and textile industry is expected to benefit significantly from the proposed India–United States trade agreement, according to industry representatives, who say improved market access and reduced tariffs could strengthen demand and exports.Cotton trade bodies believe the deal may provide much-needed relief to the sector, which has recently faced price volatility, higher input costs, and uneven global demand. Greater clarity on tariffs and trade regulations is expected to encourage US buyers to place larger and longer-term orders.Industry experts say this could improve capacity utilisation across spinning mills, weaving units, and garment factories, particularly in major textile hubs such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Sustained demand from the US market is also expected to help stabilise domestic cotton prices, benefiting both farmers and manufacturers.“This is an encouraging and forward-looking step for bilateral commerce, which could lead to a deeper and more balanced trade partnership between India and the United States,” said Cotton Association of India (CAI) President Vinay N. Kotak.With global companies re-evaluating supply chains amid geopolitical and logistical uncertainties, India is increasingly viewed as a reliable partner due to its strong raw material base, skilled workforce, and growing manufacturing capacity. Better access to the US market could further accelerate investment in modernisation, sustainability, and global compliance standards.However, industry representatives also cautioned that the final structure of the agreement will be critical. While tariff reductions may boost trade volumes, clear rules on origin, standards, and compliance will determine the actual scale of benefits. Stakeholders have urged negotiators to address sensitive issues carefully to avoid placing additional cost burdens on exporters.Beyond exports, rising demand could have positive ripple effects on employment and rural incomes. As a labour-intensive sector, cotton supports millions of farmers, ginners, mill workers, and garment employees across India. A sustained export push to the US could therefore strengthen overall economic resilience.Overall, cotton trade bodies view the India–US trade deal as a strategic opportunity that could reinforce India’s position as a dependable supplier in global cotton and textile markets while driving growth, jobs, and value addition across the entire value chain.read more :- Rupee opened 09 paise stronger at 90.26 per dollar

 Rupee opens 09 paise up at 90.26/USD Indian rupee opened higher at 90.26 per dollar on Friday versus Thursday's close of 90.35.read more :- Small spinning mills in trouble due to CCI's cotton price policy: Atulbhai Ganatra

Small spinning mills in India are in trouble as CCI's cotton price policy is causing them huge losses: Atulbhai GanatraMr. Atulbhai Ganatra, Chairman and Managing Director of Radha Lakshmi Group and a renowned cotton expert, told Indian media that small spinning mills across India are gradually closing down or switching to man-made fiber due to the current cotton pricing and sales policy of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).In Andhra Pradesh alone, more than 40 cotton spinning mills have closed in the last one year. According to Mr. Ganatra, the main reason for the closure of these mills is the expensive prices of cotton fixed by the CCI.“CCI is selling cotton with a delivery period of 60-90 days, which leads to additional costs like bank interest and other finance charges on mill buyers,” he said. “Smaller mills, which operate on very low margins, cannot afford such long delivery periods.”Mr. Ganatra urged CCI to take immediate corrective action:"I suggest that CCI gradually reduce cotton prices by ₹1,500–₹2,000 per candy and reduce the delivery period to just 15-20 days. This will help small mills to purchase cotton and continue their operations."He further said that there will be no loss to CCI by implementing these changes as the corporation will also save on bank interest, warehouse rent, insurance and expenses related to cotton shortage.read more :- Cotton prices rise in Brazil at the end of January

Late January lifts Brazil cotton prices as sellers hold firm  Brazil’s domestic cotton prices have strengthened in late January as buyers showed greater willingness to trade while sellers held firm on quotations. This dynamic pushed spot market deals above export parity levels, even as international cotton prices softened and the US dollar weakened against the real, , as per the Centre for Advanced Studies on Applied Economics (CEPEA). At the same time, overall market liquidity remained subdued, as producers prioritised field activities, particularly cotton planting and soy harvesting. Trading volumes stayed thin toward the end of the month, reflecting a cautious approach from both sides of the market, the CEPEA said in its latest fortnightly report on the Brazilian cotton market.On a monthly basis, however, prices edged slightly lower. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index (payment in eight days) slipped 0.31 per cent between December 30 and January 30, closing at BRL 3.4754 per pound.Export parity values declined more sharply, with Free Alongside Ship (FAS) prices falling 2.59 per cent between January 19–26 to BRL 3.3872/pound ($0.6414/pound) at the port of Santos and BRL 3.3977/pound ($0.6434/pound) at Paranagua, reflecting weaker international benchmarks and a softer US dollar.read more :- Official investigation into alleged organic cotton scam begins in India

Fresh Official Probe Launched into Alleged Organic Cotton Fraud in IndiaAuthorities have launched a renewed investigation into possible fraud within India’s organic cotton sector following allegations of forged documentation and misuse of farmer identities in certification processes.The Agriculture Processing Export Development Agency (APEDA) and the Odisha State Organic Certification Agency (OSOCA) have initiated inquiries into reports that firms in the Kalahandi district of Odisha secured organic certification and represented conventionally grown cotton as certified organic. Local sources suggest that names of legitimate cotton farmers were used without proper consent to falsely label non-organic fibre as organic.The issue has drawn wider attention after local media reported that significant sums may have been misappropriated in connection with the alleged scheme, prompting concerns among policymakers, farmers and sustainability advocates alike.Organic cotton, prized for its reduced environmental impact and growing global demand, remains a relatively small portion of India’s vast cotton output but is strategically significant to the textile and apparel supply chain. Industry analysts say credible certification is critical for maintaining buyer trust and achieving export premiums in international markets.The probe comes against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of supply chain transparency and compliance in textile raw materials. Studies have highlighted links between counterfeit certification and wider compliance risks, including labour abuses, adding pressure on regulators and brands to uphold due diligence standards.APEDA has previously defended its organic certification framework, emphasising that certification under the National Programme for Organic Production is monitored across states and subject to audits. Government sources have asserted that investigations are launched when substantive violations are reported, and penalties imposed where non-compliance is established.As the fresh inquiry progresses, stakeholders in the organic cotton value chain are awaiting further detail on the scope and findings of the investigations, which could have implications for certification integrity and export credibility in one of the world’s largest cotton-producing countries.read more :- Rupee higher 16 paise to close at 90.35 per dollar

The Indian rupee higher 16 paise to close at 90.35  per dollar on Thursday, compared to 90.51 in the morning.The Sensex touched an intra-day low at 83,152, and ended with a loss of 504 points or 0.6 per cent at 83,314. In the process, the Sensex snapped its 3-day winning streak, wherein the benchmark had gained 3,096 points.read more :-Big gift for cotton farmers, training to 5,000 women

Good News for Cotton Farmers: 5,000 Women Farmers to Receive Training Across 9 Districts in MaharashtraThe Maharashtra government has taken a significant initiative to strengthen women in agriculture by partnering with Godrej Agrovet Limited. Under this agreement, more than 5,000 women farmers will be trained in modern and improved farming practices. The initiative has been launched under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.Focus on Women FarmersChief Minister Fadnavis emphasized that farmers are the backbone of Maharashtra’s economy, and women play a crucial role in agriculture. Since women are actively involved in both farming and household responsibilities, the government aims to make them more empowered, skilled, and self-reliant.Districts Covered in First PhaseIn the first phase, the program will be implemented in nine cotton-growing districts:Nagpur, Amravati, Yavatmal, Washim, Parbhani, Jalgaon, Beed, Akola, and Nanded.Over 5,000 women farmers and around 100 self-help groups (SHGs) will benefit from this training program.Training and TechniquesThe initiative will focus on teaching:Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)Integrated Pest Management (IPM)These techniques are expected to reduce input costs, improve crop yield, and promote more sustainable farming practices, ultimately increasing farmers’ income.Coverage and Expansion PlansThe program will initially cover approximately 50,000 acres of cotton cultivation. Over the next three years, it will be expanded further, including more than 500 self-help groups and additional crops such as maize along with cotton.Roles of Government and Godrej AgrovetUnder this collaboration:The Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM-Umed) will mobilize women farmers through SHGs and the Krishi Sakhi network.Godrej Agrovet will provide technical training, demonstration plots, farmer field schools, and safety kits to support practical learning.Alignment with Global InitiativeThe scheme comes at a time when the United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers, highlighting the global focus on empowering women in agriculture.ConclusionThis partnership between the Maharashtra government and Godrej Agrovet marks an important step toward strengthening rural livelihoods. By equipping women farmers with modern agricultural knowledge and skills, the initiative aims to improve productivity, increase income, and support overall rural development.read more :- Rupee opens 08 paise down at 90.51

Rupee opens 08 paise down at 90.51 The rupee opened at 90.51 against the US dollar after ending the previous session at 90.43.read more :- The rupee closed 02 paise lower at 90.43 against the dollar

On Wednesday, the Indian rupee closed 02 paise lower at 90.43 against the US dollar, compared to its opening level of 90.41.At close, the Sensex was up 78.56 points or 0.09 percent at 83,817.69, and the Nifty was up 48.45 points or 0.19 percent at 25,776.00. About 2626 shares advanced, 1413 shares declined, and 143 shares unchanged.read more :- India: New hub in trade with UK, EU and US

Continuous trade agreements with UK, EU and US: India becomes the new center of global tradeThe trade agreements signed by India with the United Kingdom (July 2025), the European Union (January 2026) and now the United States (February 2026) have signaled a sea change in the global trade landscape. With these agreements, India has emerged as the most attractive manufacturing and sourcing hub among emerging economies, especially in highly trade-sensitive sectors like textiles and apparel.The reduction in tariff on Indian goods to 18 percent under the latest India-US trade agreement has brought major relief to exporters. The US is the largest market for apparel exports to India and the industry believes that this tariff cut will give Indian suppliers an edge of about 2 per cent over competing countries. This is expected to reactivate stalled production capacities and generate new orders.The free trade agreement concluded with the European Union on 27 January 2026 is being considered as a structural change for the Indian textile industry. Till now, Indian apparel attracted 9 to 12 per cent duty in the EU, while many competing countries enjoyed duty-free access. With the abolition of tariffs, India's market share is expected to increase sharply in what is the second largest export market at over $4.5 billion annually.Earlier, under the India-UK FTA in July 2025, about 99 percent of Indian exports got duty-free access. India's share in Britain's $27 billion textile-apparel import market is currently 6.6 percent, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Especially the export of technical textiles is expected to see a sharp rise by 2030.Apart from these three major agreements, India has also implemented FTAs with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Australia and New Zealand. The agreement with EFTA envisages $100 billion of investment and 1 million jobs over 15 years, while zero-tariff access with Australia and New Zealand is expected to directly benefit MSMEs and labour-intensive sectors.According to trade experts, the major reasons behind India's growing global acceptance are its large-scale manufacturing capacity, better compliance standards, emphasis on sustainability and the need for reliable alternative supply chains amid geopolitical uncertainties. The industry believes that India is no longer just a supplementary sourcing country, but is emerging as a major and long-term anchor in global supply chains.read more :- Surat textile export gets new impetus due to American tariff cut

Gujarat: Surat Textile Traders Eye Export Boost After US Tariff Cuts.The industrial heartbeat of Gujarat, Surat, is witnessing a surge of optimism following the United States' decision to slash total tariffs on Indian imports from 50 per cent down to 18 per cent. This move is expected to breathe new life into the textile and diamond industries, which had been reeling under punitive trade measures since mid-2025.In August 2025, the US had imposed two distinct 25% tariffs on India - one citing the trade deficit and another as a penalty for Russian oil purchases. However, following high-level discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Donald Trump, a compromise was reached.According to textile expert Ranganath Sharda, the 50 per cent tariff had essentially priced Indian fabrics out of the American market, allowing competitors like China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam to dominate."The reduced tariffs are expected to bring a significant boost. We anticipate the textile trade could grow exponentially as we regain our competitive edge in the US market," Sharda said.Trade analysts suggest that India's recent Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with European nations played a role in "nudging" the US toward this decision. By diversifying its trade partners (including ongoing talks with the UK and Canada), India demonstrated that it has viable alternatives, prompting Washington to protect its own trade interests by easing restrictions.The tangible effects of this policy shift are expected to manifest on factory floors and in export ledgers within the next two to three months, potentially marking 2026 as a year of recovery for Gujarat's industries.read more :- Relief to Tamil Nadu's textile industry due to American tariff cut