India's kharif sowing season has taken a significant hit, with total acreage plunging 23% to 182.72 lakh hectares as of June 25, 2026, compared to 236.46 lakh hectares in the same period last year, according to agriculture ministry data cited by PTI. The sharp decline is attributed to the delayed onset and sluggish progress of the southwest monsoon, which is critical for planting kharif crops. Reservoir levels, another key indicator for farming, stand at just 26.37% of full capacity, adding to supply concerns for traders and procurement teams monitoring India's agricultural output.
Kharif Sowing Data: Paddy, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Cotton
The data reveals broad-based declines across most kharif crops. Paddy, the main kharif staple, saw acreage drop 25.17% to 25.75 lakh hectares from 34.41 lakh hectares a year earlier. Pulses sowing lagged by 30.47% to 14.92 lakh hectares (vs. 21.46 lakh hectares), with tur/arhar specifically down to 3.56 lakh hectares from 8.45 lakh hectares. Oilseeds area plunged 53.33% to 16.99 lakh hectares from 36.41 lakh hectares, driven by sharp falls in groundnut (8.87 lakh hectares vs. 15.29 lakh hectares) and soybean (6.92 lakh hectares vs. 19.97 lakh hectares). Coarse cereals acreage declined to 31.84 lakh hectares from 36.07 lakh hectares. Cotton sowing dropped 34.61% to 29.66 lakh hectares from 45.36 lakh hectares.
Sugarcane and jute & mesta were the only exceptions. Sugarcane area edged up marginally to 57.31 lakh hectares from 56.64 lakh hectares, while jute & mesta rose to 6.25 lakh hectares from 6.13 lakh hectares.
| Crop | Acreage (lakh ha) June 25, 2026 | Acreage (lakh ha) June 25, 2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Kharif | 182.72 | 236.46 | -23.00% |
| Paddy | 25.75 | 34.41 | -25.17% |
| Pulses | 14.92 | 21.46 | -30.47% |
| Oilseeds | 16.99 | 36.41 | -53.33% |
| Coarse cereals | 31.84 | 36.07 | -11.72% |
| Cotton | 29.66 | 45.36 | -34.61% |
| Sugarcane | 57.31 | 56.64 | +1.18% |
| Jute & Mesta | 6.25 | 6.13 | +1.96% |
Monsoon Deficiency and El Niño
The southwest monsoon has been 42% below normal as of June 24, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Regional deficits are pronounced: central India -59%, east and northeast India -41%, south peninsula -28%, and northwest India -22%. The IMD also noted that El Niño conditions are currently present over the equatorial Pacific Ocean and are expected to strengthen during the June-September monsoon season, which could further delay rainfall and affect the remainder of the sowing window.
Reservoir Storage Levels
Reservoir storage is a critical input for irrigation and drinking water. The Central Water Commission (CWC) reported that total live storage in 166 important reservoirs stood at 48.405 billion cubic metres (BCM) as of June 25, or 26.37% of full reservoir level (FRL) capacity. This is 73.21% of last year's storage but 105.67% of the normal level. Of the 166 reservoirs, 111 reported more than 80% of normal storage, while 55 were at 80% or below—with 29 of those at 50% or less of normal storage. The concentration of low-storage reservoirs poses a risk for late-season irrigation.
Implications for Commodity Markets
For commodity traders and procurement teams, the 23% drop in total sown area—especially the steep 53% plunge in oilseeds—signals potential supply tightness for edible oils and related feedstocks. Soybean acreage at 6.92 lakh hectares versus nearly 20 lakh hectares last year could tighten domestic availability and support prices. Similarly, cotton's 34.6% decline may reduce India's export surplus, impacting global cotton markets. However, the monsoon's progress over the next few weeks will be crucial, as delayed sowing can be partially offset if rains revive. The IMD's forecast of strengthening El Niño adds downside risk to final production. Key upcoming data releases include weekly sowing updates and IMD monsoon bulletins, which will shape market sentiment.
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