India turns net importer of cotton as shipments cross $2 billion in FY27
Once a leading exporter, India now buys more cotton than it sells — a shift that matters to farmers and textile mills alike.
India has become a net importer of cotton, with imports crossing $2 billion in the 2026–27 financial year, marking a significant reversal for a country that was long among the world's leading cotton exporters.
Falling yields, pest damage and farmers shifting to other crops have tightened domestic supply over several seasons, while the textile and garment industry's demand for quality fibre has kept growing.
For mills, imports help secure steady supplies of specific grades. For growers in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka, the trend has renewed calls for better seed technology and support to lift productivity.
How quickly India can rebuild its cotton output will shape both farm incomes and the competitiveness of its textile exports in the years ahead.
