Cotton is a major fiber crop of India and an important raw material for the textile industry. Cotton plays a prominent role in providing employment to a large number of people in the agricultural and industrial sectors. India is the second largest cotton-producing country in the world, thanks to the favorable climatic conditions.
In 2020-2021, India produced 6.162 thousand metric tons of raw cotton. India also holds the greatest area of cotton cultivation–around 41% of the world's cotton cultivation area. In India, cotton is cultivated mainly in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and some areas of Karnataka.
Indian raw cotton is very cheap compared to the raw cotton produced in other countries. Hence, there is a great demand for Indian raw cotton in international markets. As a result, the raw cotton exporters and suppliers in India are flourishing. India exports raw cotton mainly to Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam. In 2020-21, India’s raw cotton export increased to 70-75 lakh bales from the 50 lakh bales in 2019-2020. This huge demand for raw cotton has heightened the responsibilities of raw cotton exporters and suppliers in India to ensure the cotton production meets their clients' requirements.
Cotton is a soft, wooly natural fiber grown inside the boll surrounding the cottonseed. India grows all four species of cotton. They are:
- Gossypium arboreum (Asian cotton)
- Gossypium herbaceum (Asian cotton)
- Gossypium barbadense (Egyptian cotton)
- Gossypium hirsutum (Upland cotton)
Gossypium hirsutum constitutes 90% of the hybrid varieties of cotton available in India.
A-One Exports is one of India's leading raw cotton exporters and suppliers. A-One Exports provides the best quality raw cotton in India and abroad. We have many years of experience in exporting and supplying raw cotton to international markets, and the demand for our cotton has steadily increased over the years.
Cultivation of Cotton
Cotton is a Kharif crop grown in India. A warm and moist climate favors the growth of cotton plants. A severe frost is not suitable for the proper growth of the crop. The perfect temperature for the growth of cotton is 210 C to 370 C. Frequent rainfall at the time of sowing and harvesting might damage the crop. A well-irrigated sandy, loam soil containing clay is suitable for cotton cultivation. Soil with a pH value between 6 to 8 is recommended. Cotton grows well in all types of soil if there is a possibility of drip irrigation.
The time of sowing and harvesting cotton varies from place to place according to the climatic conditions. In northern states like Haryana and Punjab, the seeds are sown from December to January, just before the severe winter begins. In other parts of India, where there is no risk of winter frost, the cotton seeds are sown till October, and harvest is from January to May. A systematic supply of fertilizers and manure is compulsory to maintain soil fertility.
The plant takes 6 to 8 months to mature. The bolls of the matured plant open, pushing the fiber out. The broken bolls are either hand-picked or harvested using machines. Handpicking helps to maintain the quality of the fiber. Leaving the open bolls unpicked for a longer time may change the fiber's color and reduce its quality.
Separation of Raw Cotton
The harvested cotton is compressed into big modules to protect against bad weather. These modules are then transported to the cotton gin for further processing. Here, the seeds, leaves, and other foreign materials are removed by a process called ginning. This process also removes excess moisture from the fiber. The ginned cotton fiber, known as lint, is then pressed into large bales. The samples from these raw cotton bales are tested for quality such as length, color, micronaire, and strength. The cotton bales are then packed carefully for storage and export.
Classification of Raw Cotton
The quality of raw cotton fiber is determined based on its color, length, strength, and micronaire. The color of raw cotton is the main parameter in determining the quality of raw cotton fiber. The whiter the fiber is, the better its quality. The strength of the fiber may not be the same throughout the length of the fiber. It is measured by breaking the raw cotton fiber kept between clamp jaws. Micronaire indicates the fineness and maturity of raw cotton fiber. Fiber length (staple) is another factor that affects the quality of raw cotton. Cotton with high fiber length is considered better.
Based on the length of the fiber, raw cotton is classified as follows:
Extra Long Staple Cotton
The fiber length of extra long staple cotton is 32.5 mm and above. Very soft fabrics are made using extra long staple cotton, as the yarn produced is very fine and strong. Superior quality cotton products are made from extra long staple cotton. Suvin, MCU-5, and DCH-32 are extra long staple cotton.
Long Staple Cotton
In long staple cotton, the length of the fiber ranges from 27.5 mm to 32.0 mm. This variety of raw cotton is used to make very thin and strong yarns. This type of row cotton is used for soft and durable towels, sheets, etc. Shankar-6 and Bunny/Brahma belong to this category.
Medium Long Staple Cotton
The fiber length of medium long staples cotton varies from 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. It’s used in spinning and for making different types of clothing. J-34, LRA-5166 are Medium long staple cotton.
Medium Staple Cotton
The fiber length of Medium staple cotton ranges from 20.5 mm to 24.5 mm. It’s mostly used for making good quality cotton clothes. Jayadhar, V-797, and Y-1 belong to medium staple cotton.
Short Staple Cotton
The length of short staple cotton fiber is less than 20 mm. Short staple fiber is rough, and it is used in making thick textile materials like denim. Short staple cotton varieties are Bengal Desi and Assam Comilla.
Quality Assurance by A-one Exports
A-One Exports is a premium raw cotton exporter and supplier in India. We export raw cotton of different staple lengths according to the customer’s needs. Our top-quality cotton is used to make various high-quality products worldwide. We have a team of skilled experts to ensure the quality of our raw cotton. Our quality analysis includes checking various parameters like color, staple length, strength, and micronaire. A-One Exports is a reliable raw cotton exporter and supplier that provides high-quality raw cotton at affordable prices. We also ensure that the cotton bales are packed well so that they can be stored for an extended period and can be shipped without affecting the quality of the product.
As highly experienced raw cotton exporters and suppliers in India, we monitor every step of the cotton production and also assist our farmers in the following areas:
- Selection of the best varieties of seeds.
- Analysis of soil to determine the pH value.
- Assistance to farmers in advanced technologies for cotton cultivation.
- Arranging facilities for drip irrigation in the absence of rain.
- Guidance in the selection and timely application of fertilizers.
- Regular monitoring during harvest to ensure timely harvesting.
A-one Exports Raw Cotton Specifications
| Variety | Staple length (mm) | Micronaire Value | Strength
GPT(HVI Mode) |
Uses |
| MCU 5 | 32 to 34 | 3.5 to 3.7 | 30 | Spinning |
| Shankar 6 | 27.5 to 29.5 | 3.5 to 4.9 | 28 | Spinning |
| MECH-1 | 27 to 29 | 3.5 to 4.9 | 27 | Spinning |
| J-34 | 24 to 27 | 4.0 to 4.9 | 26 | Spinning |
| V 797 | 20 to 22 | 4.5 to 6.0 | 24 | Spinning |
| Y1 | 23 to 25 | 4.0 to 5.5 | 15 | Spinning |
| Bengal Desi | 12 to 14 | 5.0 to 7.0 | 18 | Medical |