Home breadcru News breadcru Import/Exports breadcru Australia's cotton exports to India hit $33.5 mn in Jan–May 2025

Australia's cotton exports to India hit $33.5 mn in Jan–May 2025

31 Jul '25
2 min read
Australia's cotton exports to India hit $33.5 mn in Jan–May 2025
Pic: Shutterstock

Insights

  • Australia exported $33.5 million worth of cotton (17.36 million kg) to India during Jan–May, making India the 5th largest market.
  • Despite the ECTA allowing duty-free quotas, Australia's share in India remains modest.
  • Cotton exports to India dropped from $284.8 million in 2024 and $247.9 million in 2022.
  • Australia's total cotton exports declined to $290.2 million in the same period last year.
Australia’s cotton (HS code 5201) exports to India stood at $33.538 million during January–May 2025. India was the fifth-largest market for outbound trade during the period under review. Despite the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) between the two nations, Australia has not yet secured a strong foothold in the Indian cotton market. The trade pact, which came into effect in 2022, allows Australia to ship 3 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton annually at zero tariff.

India and Australia are currently negotiating a broader Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to enhance mutual economic cooperation.

Australia exported 17.363 million kg of cotton to India in the first five months of 2025, at an average price of $1.93 per kg. In 2024, the country exported 142.216 million kg to India, with an average price of $2 per kg.

During the first five months of the current year, Australia’s total cotton exports amounted to $290.202 million. Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, and Indonesia were larger markets than India. Total exports declined from $399.480 million during the same period last year, when shipments to India were valued at $39.798 million—representing 9.96 per cent of the total. India retained the fifth position among export destinations, according to sourcing intelligence tool TexPro.

India’s ranking in Australia’s cotton trade has fluctuated in recent years. In 2024, it was the third-largest market with an 11.67 per cent share, receiving $284.796 million worth of cotton, out of total exports valued at $2,439.654 million.

In 2022, India also ranked third with a 9.39 per cent share, importing $247.917 million worth of cotton from Australia, whose total exports stood at $2,953.692 million. However, in 2023, India slipped to sixth position with a 4.28 per cent share, importing $121.624 million, while Australia’s total cotton exports for the year stood at $2,842.855 million, as per TexPro.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)

Get Free Weekly Market Insights Newsletter

Receive daily prices and market insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe to AlchemPro Weekly!