About Cotton
India is one of the world's two largest cotton producers and has the largest cotton area. Cotton feeds the whole textile chain, from gins and spinning mills to garment exporters.
Where Cotton Is Grown in Karnataka
The main cotton districts of Karnataka are Raichur, Haveri, Dharwad, Ballari, Yadgir. Karnataka is India's leading producer of ragi, coffee, arecanut and silk, and a top producer of maize, tur, tomato, onion, flowers, grapes, pomegranate and coconut. Bengaluru is the centre of India's flower trade, and Davangere, Kalaburagi, Kolar and Byadgi host major crop markets.
Season in Karnataka
Kharif: sown April–July, picked October–February. Exact arrival dates in Karnataka depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cotton Is Sold in Karnataka
Farm produce is sold through regulated APMC market yards under the state's agricultural produce marketing law, run by the state agricultural marketing board, with many yards linked to eNAM. Karnataka was one of the first states to run a unified electronic market platform across its APMCs.
Other major markets in Karnataka
- Yeshwanthpur APMC, BengaluruOnion, potato, grainsAboutExplore
- K.R. Market and IFAB, BengaluruFlowersAboutExplore
- DavangereMaizeAboutExplore
- KalaburagiTurAboutExplore
- KolarTomatoAboutExplore
- ShivamoggaArecanutAboutExplore
- ByadgiChilliAboutExplore
Government Buying in Karnataka
MSP; bought by the Cotton Corporation of India. In Karnataka, buying is organised through the agencies below, usually at procurement centres in or near the mandis during the harvest window. Farmers register in advance, and payment is made to their bank accounts.
- Karnataka State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
- Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies CorporationRagi and paddy procurementAboutExplore
- CAMPCO and arecanut cooperativesArecanut marketingAboutExplore
Quality and Price Notes
Cotton lint is graded by staple length (for example 28–29 mm Shankar-6 type from Gujarat, longer extra-long staple from the south), micronaire (fineness), strength, trash and colour. Indian prices follow ICE New York futures, the size of the Indian crop, CCI buying at MSP, mill demand and export opportunities to Bangladesh, Vietnam and China. Pink bollworm damage and weather decide crop size.
Buyers, Processors and Exporters
These companies and bodies buy, process or export cotton across India, including from Karnataka. Tap a name for details.
- Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)MSP buying and bale auctionsAboutExplore
- Vardhman Textiles LtdSpinningAboutExplore
- Arvind LtdDenim and fabricsAboutExplore
- Trident LtdYarn and home textilesAboutExplore
- KPR Mill LtdYarn and garmentsAboutExplore
- Rasi Seeds Pvt LtdCotton seedAboutExplore
Research and Advice in Karnataka
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cotton growers in Karnataka come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- University of Agricultural Sciences, BengaluruBengaluruAboutExplore
- University of Agricultural Sciences, DharwadDharwadAboutExplore
- University of Horticultural SciencesBagalkotAboutExplore
Cotton in Other States
Gujarat · Maharashtra · Telangana · Rajasthan · Madhya Pradesh · Haryana · Punjab · Andhra Pradesh · Tamil Nadu
Related: Cotton – all India · Karnataka · All crops
Names are listed for reference only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. The About and Explore buttons open Google in a new tab; results there are generated by Google and third parties, not by this site. Prices, MSP, export rules and schemes change often. Nothing here is financial, legal or purchasing advice. Full disclaimer