India and Australia Cotton Trade Bodies Sign MoU to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation
New Delhi, April 6, 2025 — In a significant step towards strengthening international cotton trade ties, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) and the Australian Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering mutual cooperation and exchange of information related to cotton production, trade trends, global pricing, and market outlook.
The MoU was officially signed on Saturday by CAI President Atul Ganatra and ACSA Chair Cliff White. The signing ceremony was part of a broader initiative to deepen collaboration between the two major cotton-producing nations.
An Australian trade delegation, led by Cliff White and ACSA CEO Jules Willis, is currently visiting India. Other members of the delegation include Shay Dhareula (Ecom Commodities), Joel Hatherell (Olam Agri), and Theodare Immanuel (Director, Austrade).
This bilateral MoU is poised to strengthen trade relations, enhance market access, and encourage reciprocal support in policy dialogue to promote the shared interests of the cotton sectors in both countries.
CAI President Atul S. Ganatra highlighted the benefits of the Australia-India Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), which came into effect on 29th December 2022. The agreement provides duty-free access for Australian cotton into India under a specific quota of 51,000 tonnes annually. Ganatra emphasized the need for continued collaboration and reinforced business relations between the two nations’ cotton industries.
During the event, ACSA Chair Cliff White gave an insightful presentation on the current Australian cotton landscape, attended by Indian farmers, ginners, brokers, and key industry stakeholders.
This MoU marks a pivotal moment in India-Australia agricultural trade relations, promoting transparency, knowledge sharing, and sustainable growth within the global cotton market.
