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Corporate Update

Kasturi Cotton Bharat Gains Ground As Certification Surges

• By  Textile Excellence
• October 15, 2026

Certified volumes have more than quadrupled in two years, while textile mills and exporters begin putting India’s traceable cotton to commercial use.

Kasturi Cotton Bharat is gaining traction, with certified volumes climbing from 47,100 bales in 2023–24 to 2.13 lakh bales in 2025-26. More than 10 lakh bales have also been brought under the initiative’s blockchain-based traceability system, signalling growing industry engagement with India’s premium cotton brand.

The initiative, launched in 2020, aims to strengthen Indian cotton’s market position through defined quality standards, certification and digital tracking. Its growing relevance comes as international textile buyers, particularly in the US and Europe, increasingly seek verifiable information about fibre origin and supply chains.

From certification to commercial use

Adoption is beginning to translate into manufacturing activity. S.B.T. Apparels Managing Director B. Shanmugavadivel said the company had procured 3,000 bales of long-staple Kasturi Cotton from the Cotton Corporation of India to manufacture garments for export. He cited quality and traceability as advantages, adding that the garments were receiving better acceptance in overseas markets.

Arvind Ltd Vice Chairman Kulin Lalbhai has also highlighted traceability as an increasingly important requirement in global textile supply chains, as buyers seek greater assurance about the products they source.

The initiative currently has 124 active registered users, including 33 textile mills, according to the report. Looking ahead, projections suggest that of India’s estimated cotton production of 498 lakh bales by 2031-32, around 132 lakh bales could qualify as Kasturi Cotton.

The numbers point to a growing footprint, but the bigger test lies ahead: converting certification into sustained demand, wider mill participation and stronger buyer recognition. If that happens, Kasturi Cotton could help Indian cotton compete on verified quality and origin - not just price.

The numbers point to a growing footprint, but the bigger test lies ahead: converting certification into sustained demand, wider mill participation and stronger buyer recognition. If that happens, Kasturi Cotton could help Indian cotton compete on verified quality and origin - not just price.