Rice, soybean, cotton and oilseeds record slower sowing as of June 26, while sugarcane and jute register marginal gains; delayed planting may influence food supply and agri-based hospitality sectors.

Key Highlights

• Total Kharif sowing stands at 182.72 lakh hectares, down 53.74 lakh hectares from 236.46 lakh hectares during the same period last year.
• Rice sowing reaches 25.75 lakh hectares, 8.65 lakh hectares lower than last year.
• Oilseeds witness the biggest decline, with sowing down 19.42 lakh hectares.
• Cotton acreage falls by 15.70 lakh hectares year-on-year.
• Soybean records a decline of 13.05 lakh hectares.
• Sugarcane and Jute & Mesta register marginal increases over last year’s coverage.
• Early-season sowing figures are expected to improve with further advancement of the southwest monsoon.

Delayed Monsoon Keeps Kharif Sowing Below Last Year’s Pace

India’s Kharif sowing has started on a slower note this season, with the total cultivated area reaching 182.72 lakh hectares as on June 26, 2026, compared to 236.46 lakh hectares during the corresponding period in 2025, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

The figures indicate a year-on-year decline of 53.74 lakh hectares, primarily due to slower progress in major crops such as rice, soybean, cotton and oilseeds, where sowing typically accelerates with the spread of monsoon rains across key agricultural states.

Rice, Pulses and Oilseeds See Lower Coverage

Rice, India’s principal Kharif crop, has been sown over 25.75 lakh hectares, compared with 34.41 lakh hectares during the same period last year, reflecting a decline of 8.65 lakh hectares.

Pulses have covered 14.92 lakh hectares, lower than 21.46 lakh hectares in 2025. Among pulse crops, Arhar (Tur) witnessed the sharpest decline, while Moong remained relatively stable.

The largest setback has been observed in oilseeds, where total acreage stands at 16.99 lakh hectares, significantly below 36.41 lakh hectares last year. Soybean, India’s largest oilseed crop, recorded a decline of 13.05 lakh hectares, while groundnut acreage also remained substantially lower.

Cotton and Maize Also Record Slower Sowing

Cotton acreage has reached 29.66 lakh hectares, compared to 45.36 lakh hectares a year earlier, marking a decline of 15.70 lakh hectares.

Among coarse cereals (Shri Anna), maize sowing also remained below last year’s level, although jowar registered a modest increase over the previous season.

Sugarcane Shows Stability

Unlike annual Kharif crops, sugarcane maintained stable coverage at 57.31 lakh hectares, slightly higher than the 56.64 lakh hectares reported during the same period in 2025.

Similarly, Jute & Mesta posted a marginal improvement in sown area.

Monsoon Progress to Determine Crop Outlook

Agricultural experts generally view June sowing figures as preliminary, with acreage expected to expand rapidly as monsoon rainfall intensifies across central, western and northern India during July.

The coming weeks will be critical in determining overall crop production, food grain availability and commodity prices for the current agricultural season.

Hospitality, Food & Tourism Impact

The pace of Kharif sowing is closely monitored by India’s hospitality and food service industries because it directly influences the future availability and pricing of key agricultural commodities.

Lower early sowing of rice, pulses, edible oil crops and maize could lead to supply-side uncertainties if monsoon conditions fail to improve, potentially affecting procurement costs for hotels, restaurants, caterers and institutional kitchens later in the year.

Edible oils, pulses and cereals form the backbone of commercial food operations, making agricultural trends an important indicator for menu pricing, food inflation and inventory planning across the hospitality sector.

However, as Kharif sowing traditionally gathers momentum through July with improved rainfall, the current shortfall is not yet considered a production concern. A normal monsoon progression could help bridge much of the acreage gap in the coming weeks, stabilising food supply chains for both consumers and the hospitality industry.