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 Punjab
The main cotton districts of Punjab are Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, Muktsar. Punjab is India's granary: its irrigated fields give the country's highest wheat and rice yields, and it supplies the largest share of grain to the central pool. It also grows basmati, maize, cotton, potato (including seed potato) and Kinnow.
Season in Punjab
Kharif: sown April–July, picked October–February. Exact arrival dates in Punjab depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cotton Is Sold in Punjab
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. Almost all wheat and paddy is sold through the mandis via arhtiyas to state agencies and FCI at MSP.
Other major markets in Punjab
- KhannaWheat, paddyAboutExplore
- Amritsar and Tarn TaranBasmatiAboutExplore
- AboharKinnowAboutExplore
- JalandharSeed potatoAboutExplore
Government Buying in Punjab
MSP; bought by the Cotton Corporation of India. In Punjab, 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.
- Punjab Mandi BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
- PUNGRAIN (Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation)ProcurementAboutExplore
- Punjab MarkfedProcurement and marketingAboutExplore
- PUNSUPProcurementAboutExplore
- Punjab State Warehousing CorporationStorageAboutExplore
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 Punjab. 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 Punjab
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cotton growers in Punjab come from the state agricultural universities below and from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in each district.
Cotton in Other States
Gujarat · Maharashtra · Telangana · Rajasthan · Karnataka · Madhya Pradesh · Haryana · Andhra Pradesh · Tamil Nadu
Related: Cotton – all India · Punjab · 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