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 Maharashtra
The main cotton districts of Maharashtra are Yavatmal, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Jalgaon, Beed. Maharashtra is India's leading producer of onion, grapes, pomegranate, banana (with Gujarat and Andhra), tur, soybean, cotton and sugarcane, and of Alphonso mango and Nagpur orange. Its mandis at Lasalgaon, Latur, Sangli, Solapur and Vashi are among the best known in India.
Season in Maharashtra
Kharif: sown April–July, picked October–February. Exact arrival dates in Maharashtra depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cotton Is Sold in Maharashtra
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. Maharashtra has been a leader in FPO-led marketing and in allowing direct sales outside APMC yards for fruits and vegetables.
Key markets for Cotton in Maharashtra
Other major markets in Maharashtra
- Lasalgaon and PimpalgaonOnion, tomato, grapesAboutExplore
- LaturTur, soybeanAboutExplore
- Vashi APMC, Navi MumbaiFruits, vegetables, AlphonsoAboutExplore
- SangliTurmeric, raisinsAboutExplore
- SolapurOnion, pomegranate, jowarAboutExplore
- Kalamna, NagpurOrangeAboutExplore
Government Buying in Maharashtra
MSP; bought by the Cotton Corporation of India. In Maharashtra, 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.
- Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB)Regulated markets, export facilitiesAboutExplore
- MahaFPC (Maharashtra Farmer Producer Companies)FPO procurement and 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 Maharashtra. 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 Maharashtra
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cotton growers in Maharashtra come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
- Mahatma Phule Krishi VidyapeethRahuriAboutExplore
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi VidyapeethAkolaAboutExplore
- Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi VidyapeethParbhaniAboutExplore
- Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi VidyapeethDapoliAboutExplore
Cotton in Other States
Gujarat · Telangana · Rajasthan · Karnataka · Madhya Pradesh · Haryana · Punjab · Andhra Pradesh · Tamil Nadu
Related: Cotton – all India · Maharashtra · 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