TNAU Forecasts Cotton Prices At Rs 75-80 Per Kg During Harvest
Farmers advised to plan sowing based on market outlook, monsoon conditions
The Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has forecast that good-quality cotton could fetch around Rs 75–80 per kg during the upcoming harvest season, based on an analysis of historical prices in the Moolanur regulated market.
TNAU analysed cotton price trends over the past 20 years to arrive at the pre-sowing price forecast. The university said actual prices could vary depending on the performance of the South-West Monsoon, particularly in the context of El Niño-related climatic conditions, as well as the volume of arrivals from other major cotton-growing states.
India remains the world’s largest cotton-growing country by acreage and ranks second globally in cotton production and consumption. According to the Second Advance Estimates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for 2025–26, cotton is expected to be cultivated across around 114.82 lakh hectares, with production estimated at 49.455 lakh tonnes and productivity at approximately 431 kg per hectare.
Globally, cotton was cultivated across an estimated 30.83 million hectares in 2024, with production projected at around 72.81 million tonnes. China, India, Brazil and the US together account for nearly 74% of global cotton production.
In Tamil Nadu, cotton cultivation covered around 1.02 lakh hectares, producing approximately 3.80 lakh tonnes at a productivity of 350 kg per hectare during 2024–25. Major cotton-growing districts include Tiruvarur, Virudhunagar, Mayiladuthurai, Ramanathapuram, Tiruchirappalli and Salem. Bt hybrids, Varalakshmi and Suvin are among the major varieties cultivated in the state.
TNAU advised farmers to consider the projected price trend while taking sowing decisions, while keeping in mind potential fluctuations arising from monsoon conditions and cotton arrivals from other producing states.
