New Delhi, May 8 -- Indias textile industry has intensified its demand for the removal of the 11 percent import duty on cotton, arguing that elevated raw material costs are hurting competitiveness at a time when global demand remains uncertain and input pressures are rising.
A study released by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said the duty has made imported cotton expensive for domestic mills, especially during periods of supply tightness, and has pushed domestic cotton prices above international benchmarks for the past few years.
Supply Gap Raises Cost Pressures
According to the report, Indias cotton production is projected at 29.1 million bales in 2025 26, while domestic consumption is estimated at 32.8 million ...