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 Tamil Nadu
The main cotton districts of Tamil Nadu are Perambalur, Salem, Virudhunagar. Tamil Nadu leads India in banana and is a top producer of coconut, turmeric, jasmine, tapioca, urad and groundnut. Its Cauvery delta grows rice, its western districts coconut and turmeric, Krishnagiri mango, and Madurai and Hosur its famous flowers.
Season in Tamil Nadu
Kharif: sown April–July, picked October–February. Exact arrival dates in Tamil Nadu depend on local sowing and the monsoon, so check current arrivals before planning purchases.
How Cotton Is Sold in Tamil Nadu
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. Uzhavar Sandhai (farmers' markets) allow direct sales to consumers.
Other major markets in Tamil Nadu
- Koyambedu, ChennaiFruits, vegetables, flowersAboutExplore
- ErodeTurmericAboutExplore
- Mattuthavani, MaduraiJasmineAboutExplore
- Pollachi and KangeyamCoconut, copraAboutExplore
- TheniBananaAboutExplore
- KrishnagiriMangoAboutExplore
Government Buying in Tamil Nadu
MSP; bought by the Cotton Corporation of India. In Tamil Nadu, 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.
- Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC)Paddy procurementAboutExplore
- Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing BoardRegulated marketsAboutExplore
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 Tamil Nadu. 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 Tamil Nadu
New varieties, crop advice and seed for cotton growers in Tamil Nadu 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 · Punjab · Andhra Pradesh
Related: Cotton – all India · Tamil Nadu · 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