Indian cotton imports from Brazil increased 10 times
By yash chouhan 2025-07-30 11:16:33
Indian cotton imports from Brazil have risen 10-fold this season as shipments hit record levels.
Cotton imports from Brazil have risen 10-fold in terms of both volume and value this season (2024-25 ending in September), the central government told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Imports from the US have doubled during this period as shipments to the country, especially for the extra long staple variety, have reached record levels to meet demand.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ram Nath Thakur gave details of cotton imports for the period 2019-20 and 2024-25 (up to May 31, 2025) in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
India's imports from Brazil rose from 67,805 bales (170 kg) worth ₹152 crore in 2023-24 to 6,54,819 bales worth ₹1,620 crore by end-May 2024-25.
Cotton exports from the US rose from 2,68,728 bales worth ₹1361 crore in 2023-24 to 5,25,523 bales worth ₹1,802 crore by end-May 2024-25.
Overall, 27 lakh bales were imported till May 31, while 15.19 lakh bales were imported for the entire 2023-24 season. Imports from Australia also increased significantly to 5.13 lakh bales as against 3.58 lakh bales in 2023-24.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
Responding to a separate question on settlement of claims under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in the last five years, Chauhan informed that 4,992.79 lakh farmer applications have been enrolled during 2020-21 to 2024-25 (up to Kharif 2024). Claims worth ₹86,306.61 crore have been paid to 1,423.22 lakh farmer applications across the country during the same period. Apart from this, ₹5,405.2 crore (5.9 per cent) are pending for payment.
He informed that during Kharif 2023 to Kharif 2024, about 69 per cent of the claims have been settled within 30 days of reporting of yield by the States/notification of crop loss by the State or intimation by farmers.
