Cotton Price Today in India - कपास का आज का भाव
The current wholesale (modal) price of Cotton (कपास) in India is ₹8,950 per quintal, up ₹650 from yesterday. Prices today range from a minimum of ₹8,000 to a maximum of ₹9,400 per quintal depending on the mandi, grade and quality of produce. The state-wise Cotton rate table above is updated daily, and the LIVE arrivals section shows real Agmarknet transactions where available.
Cotton is grown mainly in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab. It is a cash crop crop with a Kharif (Sow: Apr-Jun, Pick: Oct-Jan) season - Kharif (Sow: Apr-Jun, Pick: Oct-Jan).
India is the world's largest cotton producer and the second-largest exporter, with the cotton textile and apparel industry directly employing 45 million people. Bt cotton (Bollgard II) covers 95% of India's cotton area, but the pest resistance battle with pink bollworm is an ongoing challenge that can affect yields and quality sharply.
Cotton MSP Kharif 2026-27 Medium Staple - ₹8,267/Quintal
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Cotton is ₹8,267 per quintal for Kharif 2026-27 Medium Staple, announced by the Government of India on the recommendation of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). MSP is the floor price - government procurement agencies are obligated to buy at this rate, so you should never sell your cotton below ₹8,267/quintal. Today's market price of ₹8,950 is above MSP, so the open market is paying well - sell where you get the best rate. See the full Cotton MSP tracker with the year-on-year change and free alerts.
Why Cotton Prices Change
- Seasonal arrivals: Prices fall when fresh harvest floods the mandi (peak arrival) and recover in the off-season. Knowing the cotton harvest window helps you time sales.
- Weather: Drought, floods, frost or unseasonal rain damage the crop and cut supply, pushing prices up; a bumper harvest pushes them down.
- Government policy: MSP sets a price floor; export bans/permissions, buffer-stock release and import duty all move prices.
- Demand: Festivals, processing-industry demand and export orders raise prices.
- Grade & quality: Clean, dry, well-graded produce always fetches a premium over mixed lots.
How to Get the Best Price for Your Cotton
- Compare mandis: Check the state-wise rates above and visit 2-3 nearby mandis before selling - same-day rates can differ ₹100-500/quintal.
- Grade and clean your cotton - graded produce fetches 15-20% higher bids.
- Time the market: Avoid selling at peak-arrival when prices bottom out. Use a warehouse and a Kisan Credit Card loan to store and sell in the lean season.
- Use government procurement at MSP (₹8,267) if the market price falls below it.
Popular Cotton Varieties in India
- Bollgard II hybrids (most of India - 95% area)
- MCU-12 (Tamil Nadu long staple)
- Suraj (Gujarat extra-long staple)
- RCH-2 (Telangana popular)
- LRA-5166 (non-Bt for organic)
Cotton Uses & End Markets
- Cotton lint for textile spinning mills
- Cotton seed oil - major industrial and edible oil
- Cottonseed cake for dairy cattle feed
- Cotton linters for paper and currency notes
- Medical cotton (surgical cotton)
Grow Better Cotton - Inputs & Guidance
Higher quality means a higher price. For the best cotton crop: choose a high-yield Cotton seed variety, base fertilizer on a soil health card, follow the right pest-control schedule, and irrigate efficiently with a subsidised drip system. See the crop calendar for the ideal sowing window.