Cotton prices in the Indian domestic market weakened after the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) reduced its cotton sale prices by ₹2,500 per candy (356 kg) for the 2025-26 crop season, following a recent decline in global cotton prices. The price cut triggered a bearish sentiment across major cotton trading centers, particularly in Gujarat and northern India. In Ahmedabad, prices of Shankar-6 cotton fell by ₹150 to ₹61,500-62,000 per candy. Spot cotton prices in Punjab eased to ₹6,100-6,250 per maund, while Haryana prices declined to ₹5,920-5,950 per maund. In Upper Rajasthan, cotton traded at ₹5,950-6,250 per maund, whereas Lower Rajasthan prices softened to ₹56,500-57,500 per candy. During Mondays e-auction, CCI sold 28,600 bales of cotton. Spinning mills purchased 8,500 bales, while traders accounted for the remaining 20,100 bales. Market participants noted that the sharp reduction in CCI selling prices immediately weighed on spot market values, despite limited arrivals in major cotton-producing regions. Trade sources said that the governments decision to remove all customs duties on cotton imports for five months starting June 1, 2026, is expected to encourage higher imports and improve raw material availability for the domestic textile industry. Increased imports could further pressure domestic cotton prices in the coming months. Although private ginners currently hold very limited cotton stocks, CCI continues to maintain sizeable inventories. As a result, market direction and price movements are expected to remain heavily influenced by CCI pricing strategy and sales policy. Industry estimates have recently revised Indias cotton production outlook higher by 1 million bales. Cotton imports are also projected to increase during the current season. However, with private sector inventories nearly exhausted, selling pressure from ginners remains limited, providing some support to the market despite the recent decline in prices.