Government extends import duty exemption for cotton

The Finance Ministry extended the import duty on cotton until December 31, 2026, providing relief to the largest cotton consumer—the textile industry.

In a notification issued on Friday, October 30, 2026, the Finance Ministry said the exemption, which had been granted in May this year, will continue until October 31. The exemption will now extend to the end of December.

With the poor Southwest monsoon impacting the cotton crop, daily arrivals of cotton remain low, though the new cotton marketing season began on October 1. The textile industry, meanwhile, expects cotton consumption to increase this year. The textile industry has been demanding the removal of the import duty on cotton.