Cotlook Index: 14-10-2026
91.25 (Unch)
ICE cotton futures rise slightly but fail to sustain early gains
Thursday, 15th Oct 2026, (Source: www.fibre2fashion.com)
Insights: ICE December 2026 cotton settled 15 points higher at 80.66 cents per pound after a rally to 82.25 cents faded as US inflation lifted the dollar.Weak exports, higher USDA production and ending-stock estimates, and a 31 per cent US harvest kept the market range-bound.Crop concerns and limited farmer selling offered support as traders track the dollar, Federal Reserve rates, exports and harvest.
ICE cotton futures settled slightly higher on Wednesday but failed to sustain an early rally as stronger-than-expected US inflation data boosted the dollar and raised expectations of further monetary tightening. The market remained range-bound amid weak export demand, higher US cotton production estimates and an advancing harvest. Despite the modest recovery, buying momentum remained limited.The ICE December 2026 cotton contract settled 15 points higher at 80.66 cents per pound, compared with 80.51 cents in the previous session. The contract gained just 12 points during the first three trading sessions of the week, reflecting continued sideways movement. Prices climbed to an intraday high of 82.25 cents, the highest level in approximately two weeks, but closed 159 points below that level as selling pressure intensified.The inflation data strengthened expectations of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve later this month, supporting the US dollar against major currencies. A stronger dollar makes US cotton more expensive for overseas buyers and generally weighs on export demand. Trading activity accelerated around the inflation announcement, with approximately 3,000 contracts traded within half an hour.According to market analysts, cotton futures retreated after a sharp intraday rise. Traders were increasingly overlooking the bearish USDA supply and demand report released last Friday, as the US cotton crop remained below average. However, the stronger dollar following the inflation data restricted further gains.The USDA's October supply and demand report raised estimates for US cotton production and ending stocks, adding bearish pressure to the market. The higher supply projections continued to offset concerns over crop availability and limited selling by farmers.Meanwhile, the USDA's latest crop progress report showed that the US cotton harvest reached 31 per cent in the week ended October 11, compared with 23 per cent a week earlier and the five-year average of 29 per cent. Cotton rated good to excellent improved to 34 per cent from 33 per cent in the preceding week. Boll opening reached 82 per cent, marginally below the five-year average of 83 per cent. The Cotlook A Index registered a slight increase, while Chinese cotton markets remained closed for holidays during the reporting period.ICE-certified cotton stocks remained unchanged at 17,756 bales as of October 13. Open interest had reached a record 393,020 contracts in the preceding session, indicating strong market participation despite limited price movement. Updated trading volume and open interest figures for Wednesday were unavailable.Market analysts noted that cotton futures continued to face resistance at higher levels due to the stronger dollar, sluggish export shipments and increased USDA supply estimates. However, concerns over below-average US production and limited farmer selling provided some underlying support.Market participants will closely monitor movements in the US dollar, Federal Reserve interest rate expectations, weekly cotton export sales and the progress of the US harvest for further price direction.This morning (Indian Standard Time), December 2026 cotton traded at 79.89 cents per pound (down 077 cent). Cash cotton traded at 78.41 cents (up 0.15 cent), while the March 2027 contract traded at 83.19 cents (down 0.81 cent). The May 2027 contract traded at 84.89 cents (down 0.80 cent), the July 2027 contract at 85.23 cents (down 0.90 cent), and the October 2027 contract at 79.74 cents (down 0.16 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded so far today.
CCI Starts Cotton Procurement at MSP
Thursday , 15th Oct 2026,, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
CCI Cotton Procurement: CCI Begins Cotton Procurement Today
October 15, 2026: The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is commencing the procurement of cotton at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). According to reports, there are plans to establish 170 procurement centers this season—an increase of 15 centers compared to last year. However, arrivals at government centers may remain limited, as open-market cotton prices are expected to stay above the MSP. The report states that the MSP for medium-staple cotton has been set at ₹8,267 per quintal, while the MSP for long-staple cotton is ₹8,670 per quintal. The cotton crop has been adversely affected this year due to a prolonged lack of rainfall during the monsoon season. A shortage of moisture during critical growth stages—such as flowering, boll formation, and maturation—has hindered plant development in many regions, raising concerns about a potential decline in production. Citing CCI official Lalit Kumar Gupta, the report notes that farmers can register via a mobile app, which also provides information regarding the locations of procurement centers.
Potential Price Surge Due to Declining Cotton Production
Typically, the country produces between 300 and 325 lakh bales of cotton. However, production for this season is projected to fall to between 250 and 275 lakh bales.
According to cotton market expert Govind Vairale, the anticipated drop in production could push open-market prices as high as ₹10,000 per quintal.
Meanwhile, amid concerns over declining domestic production, the textile industry has requested that the central government permit duty-free cotton imports until December.
Experts believe that if market prices remain above the MSP, the volume of cotton arriving at CCI procurement centers is likely to remain limited.
Drought Threatens Adilabad Cotton Crop
Thursday , 15th Oct 2026,, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Drought Threatens Cotton Crop in Telangana; Farmers Turn to Alternative Irrigation to Save Harvest
Adilabad, Telangana: A prolonged lack of rainfall combined with rising temperatures has placed the standing cotton crop in the district under severe threat. To save their crops, farmers are resorting to various measures, including the use of sprinklers, drip irrigation, borewells, and water from canals. The persistent dry weather is hindering the growth of cotton plants, raising concerns about a potential decline in yield.With temperatures in the district reaching approximately 36°C, soil moisture levels in the fields are depleting. According to available agricultural data, the area under cultivation in Adilabad district includes approximately 4.30 lakh acres of cotton, 56,000 acres of soybean, 42,000 acres of pigeon pea (arhar), and 21,000 acres of maize. Gandrath Prabhakar, a farmer from Kapparla village in Tamsi mandal, is using water from a borewell to irrigate his cotton fields via sprinklers. He notes that the lack of rain has prevented the plants from developing an adequate number of cotton bolls. Furthermore, irregular power supply and frequent electricity outages are complicating irrigation efforts. Meanwhile, some farmers are attempting to save their crops by sourcing water from canals, local streams, and small rivers; however, the availability of water remains uncertain. According to Punjab Reddy, a farmer from Nipani village in Bhimpur mandal, the drought may make it difficult for many farmers to even recover their cultivation costs. There are concerns that the second and third rounds of cotton picking will be adversely affected. Crops in the red-soil regions of Tamsi, Talamadugu, and Bhimpur are expected to suffer the most damage, whereas the situation in areas with black soil is reportedly somewhat better. While the hot and dry weather might reduce issues related to excess moisture in the cotton, this does not guarantee that farmers will receive prices above the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Cotton quality, market demand, and production conditions also influence prices.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan participates in the 10th National Convention of Agrivision in Delhi
Thursday , 15th Oct 2026, (Source: www.pib.gov.in)
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the 10th National Convention of Agrivision at Pusa, Delhi, today. He said that, while further improving farmers’ livelihoods, India would no longer remain limited to meeting its own food requirements but would emerge as the ‘food basket’ of the entire world in the coming years. He made it clear that strict measures would be taken to curb the proliferation of private agricultural colleges operating without proper standards and issuing fake degrees. An Agriculture Council would soon be established to regulate these institutions and bring greater accountability to agricultural education. The government’s focus would be on ensuring quality in agricultural education, safeguarding students’ futures and strengthening the contribution of agriculture to the country’s development.
From an era of scarcity to self-reliance and record production
In his address, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the journey of Indian agriculture, recalling a time when the country had to depend on imported foodgrains under the PL-480 programme. Today, however, through the hard work of Indian farmers and the adoption of modern policies, the country has achieved complete self-reliance in foodgrain production. Between 2014 and 2024, India’s total agricultural production increased by 49 per cent. The country now ranks first in the world in rice production and exports, while it ranks second in wheat production. He emphasised that the challenge before India was no longer simply to increase production. Instead, the focus must shift towards scientific storage, efficient management and expanding exports to global markets. Strengthening these areas would help ensure that the country makes the best possible use of its agricultural output while creating further opportunities for farmers
“You bring forth the nectar of ideas; we will formulate policies and implement them”
Shri Shivraj Chouhan described the expertise of students and farmers’ organisations as particularly important in the policymaking process. Calling upon the experts and students attending the convention to contribute their ideas and insights, the Union Minister said, “Deliberate in depth at this national convention and bring forth the nectar in the form of your conclusions. The government will take responsibility for sharing these ideas in the national interest and implementing them.” He emphasised that the discussions should lead to practical recommendations capable of contributing to agricultural development and addressing the challenges faced by farmers and students. Announcing a follow-up meeting, he said he would meet the representatives again within the next 15 days to one month to develop a detailed action plan based on the convention’s conclusions. The follow-up discussions would focus directly on developing and implementing both short-term and long-term plans, ensuring that the recommendations emerging from the convention translated into concrete action.
Safeguarding the future of agricultural students is the top priority
Emphasising the need to raise the standard of agricultural education, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Chouhan said that no institution would be permitted to operate merely as a business that collected fees and distributed degrees without maintaining appropriate standards. The government would ensure that technical qualifications pursued by young people, including Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSc Agriculture) and Master of Science in Agriculture (MSc Agriculture), retained their value and were not rendered useless. He stressed the importance of protecting students’ investments of time, effort and money in their education by ensuring that agricultural institutions provided meaningful and credible qualifications. The proposed regulatory measures would seek to prevent the proliferation of substandard colleges and fake degrees while helping maintain the quality and credibility of agricultural education. The objective is to ensure that students receive an education that supports their future prospects and enables them to contribute effectively to the agricultural sector.
An ‘integrated farming’ model for small farmers
Referring to India’s average landholding size of just 0.96 hectares, Shri Chouhan said that diversification was essential to increase the incomes of small and marginal farmers. Their livelihoods could be made more secure and prosperous by integrating multiple agricultural activities rather than depending solely on grain cultivation. Alongside foodgrain production, farmers should be encouraged to take up fruit and vegetable cultivation, medicinal plant farming, animal husbandry, fisheries, beekeeping and natural farming. Integrating these activities would help diversify income sources, reduce dependence on a single crop and strengthen the economic security of farming households. He also highlighted the need to accelerate the adoption of modern technologies in agriculture. Efforts were being stepped up to integrate artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and robotics into farming, helping modernise agricultural practices and improve their efficiency. Combining diversified farming systems with technological advancements would support efforts to enhance productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
During the programme, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan released a special booklet documenting Agrivision’s 10-year journey. A large number of agricultural scientists, researchers and students from across the country attended the national convention. Their participation provided an opportunity for experts and young people associated with agriculture to engage in discussions on the sector’s challenges, future priorities and development opportunities.
India-US interim trade deal undergoing legal drafting; to be finalised soon: Piyush Goyal
Thursday , 15th Oct 2026, SWETA GOSWAMI (Source: www. moneycontrol.com)
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal also said that the India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) is scheduled to enter into force on October 20, following the completion of ratification by both countries.The first tranche of the India-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA) has been finalised and is undergoing legal drafting, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on October 15. He added that the deal would be operationalised once India secured a competitive advantage over its peer countries.“The first tranche of the US bilateral trade agreement has been finalised. It's going through the final contours, the legal drafting. We hope to be able to finalise it soon and operationalise it once we get comparable advantage or competitive advantage over our peer countries,” Goyal said while interacting with students at SRCC's Centenary Conclave in New Delhi.Goyal’s comments came hours after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the major issues in the India-US bilateral trade agreement had been resolved, with negotiations progressing at an “incredible pace”. “The big picture, the big framework, the big items are done,” Gor said at Bloomberg’s New Economy Forum in New Delhi on Thursday.The two countries announced a framework for an interim trade agreement in February 2026, with the US agreeing to reduce tariffs on Indian goods. India has sought preferential tariff treatment for its exporters while protecting sensitive domestic sectors, particularly agriculture and dairy. Goyal has previously said that products such as wheat, rice, maize and soymeal would remain outside tariff concessions, amid concerns that imports of US farm produce could expose Indian farmers to competition.Goyal said India's trade engagement with other major economies was also progressing. The India-New Zealand free trade agreement (FTA) is scheduled to enter into force on October 20, following the completion of ratification by both countries, he said.
Morbi Cotton Arrivals Cross 4,000 Quintals in Three Days
Thursday , 15th Oct 2026,, Yash Chouhan, (Source: www.smartinfoindia.com)
Slow Arrival of Cotton at Morbi Yard; Over 4,000 Quintals Received in Three Days
Morbi, Gujarat: Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of erratic monsoon rainfall on Kharif crop production in the district. The arrival of Kharif crops at agricultural produce markets (mandis) has begun at a slow pace this year. Over the last three days, more than 4,000 quintals of cotton have been recorded at the Morbi marketing yard. Meanwhile, the arrival of other Kharif crops, including groundnuts, remains very low.
The price of cotton at the Morbi yard is currently ranging between ₹1,850 and ₹1,980 per 20 kg. During the same period last year, the price of cotton was between ₹1,220 and ₹1,550 per 20 kg. Consequently, there has been an increase of ₹630 in the minimum price and ₹430 in the maximum price per 20 kg compared to the previous year.
Significant Arrivals of Cotton and Groundnuts at Halvad Yard
Compared to Morbi, a higher volume of Kharif crop arrivals has been recorded at the Halvad agricultural produce market. Over the past three days, the Halvad APMC yard has received 33,596 maunds of cotton and over 1.21 lakh maunds of groundnuts. Additionally, other agricultural produce—such as fennel seeds, sesame seeds, and black gram (urad)—are also arriving at the market.
14,298 Farmers Registered for MSP Procurement
A total of 14,298 farmers in Morbi district have registered for the sale of groundnuts under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement scheme. According to data as of October 4, the number of farmers who have registered is 8,082 in Tankara, 4,627 in Halvad, 1,024 in Morbi, 549 in Wankaner, and 16 in Malia.
After extending the deadline for online registration twice, the state government set October 14 as the final date. Currently, cotton prices are higher than they were last year. However, prices may fluctuate as arrivals in the agricultural produce markets (mandis) increase in the coming days. Given this, both farmers and traders are keeping a close watch on cotton arrivals and market prices.
