April 15 arrivals reveal Gujarat’s commanding role, Maharashtra’s desi resilience, and Telangana’s steady niche demand

India’s cotton markets on April 15, 2026, presented a striking panorama of price diversity and regional strength. Gujarat, the country’s cotton heartland, dominated the day’s arrivals and price action, with modal prices ranging from Rs 6,690 in Jamnagar’s Dhrol APMC to Rs 8,500 in Junagarh’s Manavdar APMC. The highest recorded price was Rs 9,250 per quintal for unginned cotton in Junagarh, while the lowest was Rs 5,250 in Jamnagar, underscoring the volatility across grades and varieties. Arrival volumes were equally varied, with Rajkot’s Jasdan (Vichhiya) APMC reporting a massive 350 metric tonnes at Rs 7,690, while smaller mandis like Patan’s Chansama APMC saw just 0.3 metric tonnes at Rs 6,675.

Amreli district stood out with multiple markets reporting significant arrivals. Babra APMC recorded 160 metric tonnes of Shanker 6 cotton at Rs 8,435, while Amreli APMC itself reported 106 metric tonnes at Rs 8,475. Savarkundla APMC added 45 metric tonnes of Narma BT cotton at Rs 8,250, reflecting the district’s deep integration into Gujarat’s cotton economy. Chhota Udaipur also contributed strongly, with Kalediya APMC reporting 48.5 metric tonnes at Rs 8,025 and Modasar APMC 28.5 metric tonnes at Rs 8,050. These figures reinforce Gujarat’s role as the anchor of India’s fibre crop trade.

Madhya Pradesh’s cotton arrivals were more modest but strategically important. Kukshi APMC reported 7.05 metric tonnes at Rs 8,300, while Khargone APMC touched Rs 8,780, one of the highest modal prices of the day. Badwani’s Khetia APMC reported 15.88 metric tonnes at Rs 8,225, while Gandhwani APMC in Dhar saw Rs 8,200 for 1.27 metric tonnes. The state’s cotton economy remains steady, with FAQ grades ensuring price stability in the Rs 7,000–8,800 range.

Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district contributed significantly, with Maregoan APMC reporting 52.4 metric tonnes of desi cotton at Rs 8,000. Telangana’s cotton trade reflected mixed signals. Chinnoar APMC reported 39 metric tonnes of MECH-1 cotton at Rs 7,000, while Peddapalli APMC saw 14.23 metric tonnes of desi cotton at Rs 7,684. Karimnagar’s Kataram APMC reported 12 metric tonnes at Rs 7,100, while Jammikunta APMC recorded Rs 7,500 for 4.3 metric tonnes. These figures suggest Telangana’s cotton economy is steady but lacks the scale of Gujarat’s arrivals.

Gujarat therefore remains the undisputed leader, with arrivals spread across Amreli, Rajkot, Chhota Udaipur, and Junagarh, and prices consistently in the Rs 7,000–9,000 band. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra provide stability, with arrivals in the 5–50 metric tonne range and prices hovering around Rs 8,000. Telangana’s cotton trade reflects localized demand, with smaller arrivals but steady pricing. The April 15 data underscores India’s cotton economy entering a phase of regional consolidation: Gujarat driving volume and price leadership, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra offering balance, and Telangana maintaining niche demand.

From Rs 5,250 in Jamnagar to Rs 9,250 in Junagarh, India’s cotton trade on April 15 was a study in contrasts—an economy where fibre crops are both a local livelihood and a national commodity, shaped by variety, grade, and regional strength. This snapshot reveals not just the day’s trading, but the structural reality of India’s cotton markets: fragmented yet resilient, volatile yet anchored by Gujarat’s commanding presence.