New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- A 60 percent surge in cotton yarn prices is squeezing margins across India's textile value chain and could undermine export opportunities created by recent FTAs.

Prices have risen to around Rs 400 per kg from Rs 250 per kg in early 2026, prompting apparel exporters to seek government measures to contain prices.

The rise coincides with a cotton shortage of around 10 lakh bales, according to the Tiruppur Exporters' Association (TEA). TEA Secretary General Kumar Duraiswamy called for extending the cotton import duty exemption and boosting domestic production through the Cotton Mission.

Declining Cotton Output Adds To Pressure

India produced 290.91 lakh bales of cotton in the 2025-26 season, down from 352.48 lakh ba...