The prolonged rains have created difficulties for the standing cotton crop in several southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Recent heavy precipitation has also raised concerns about yields in parts of Maharashtra. According to industry experts, a more definitive assessment of the crop’s condition is expected post-Dussehra, though delays in crop arrivals are likely.
In the past few days, significant rainfall has been noted in areas like Yadgir, Shahpur, and Jewargi in Telangana and Karnataka, impacting the standing crops. “While it is too early to quantify the impact, the current weather conditions pose challenges and may delay arrivals,” said Ramanuj Das Boob, a sourcing agent based in Raichur.
For farmers, the rain could potentially decrease yields, especially as cotton prices are declining due to lower demand from domestic mills. Current cotton arrivals are approximately 30,000 bales (of 170 kg), and prices for raw cotton, or kapas, are fluctuating between ₹5,600 and ₹7,500 per quintal, depending on moisture levels. Importantly, raw cotton prices have fallen below the minimum support price (MSP) thresholds of ₹7,710 per quintal for medium staple and ₹8,110 for long staple varieties.
In addition, the decrease in cottonseed prices is exerting downward pressure on kapas prices. With the new crop arrivals beginning, cottonseed prices have dropped by around 10 percent, from approximately ₹4,100-4,200 per quintal to about ₹3,800.
Atul S. Ganatra, President of the Cotton Association of India, does not foresee substantial impacts from the extended rains. He estimates that around 10 percent of the early sown area may be affected, while 90 percent stands to benefit from the rains.
Pradeep Jain, Founder President of the Khandesh Gin Press Association in Jalgaon, acknowledged localized impacts in about 10-15 percent of certain areas but expressed confidence that the overall crop will remain intact.
Arun Khetan, a broker operating in Akola, noted that the Vidarbha region has not experienced significant crop impact. As weather conditions begin to improve, he anticipates that arrivals will be delayed.
Furthermore, Punjab’s Agriculture Minister, Gurmeet Singh Khudian, has called for intervention from the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to address market prices, which are currently below MSP levels. In Punjab, raw cotton prices are reported to be between ₹5,600 and ₹5,800 per quintal.
As for developments in sowing, the area under cotton cultivation has decreased by 2.53 percent, totaling 109.64 lakh hectares during the 2025 kharif season, compared to 112.48 lakh hectares the previous year.
Published on September 24, 2025.
