- Cotton lint prices remained range-bound but slightly firm during Q1’26, supported by weather-related crop uncertainty and rising agricultural input costs across major producing regions.
- Feedstock pressure stayed elevated due to drought concerns, higher fertilizer and freight expenses, and cautious producer selling despite comfortable global inventories.
- Downstream demand remained selective, with textile mills maintaining cautious procurement amid weak apparel demand and rising yarn, packaging, and logistics costs.
During Q1’26, cotton lint prices reflected a cautiously supported trend as weather-driven production risks balanced against adequate global availability. Market movement stayed mostly stable with mild upward pressure during the quarter, supported by planting uncertainty and limited producer offerings. India’s cotton production for the 2025–26 season was estimated at approximately 320.5 lakh bales, improving domestic availability and limiting stronger global supply concerns. Downstream demand from spinning mills, yarn producers, apparel manufacturers, and textile exporters remained cautious due to weak garment consumption and delayed order placement from international buyers. Procurement from Vietnam, China, and Turkey continued steadily but remained selective because of elevated freight, packaging, and chemical costs across textile supply chains. Rising logistics and insurance costs linked to geopolitical disruptions also added pressure on export-oriented textile trade during the quarter.