CAI INCREASES INDIA’S COTTON PRESSING ESTIMATE FOR THE 2025-26 SEASON TO 337.00 LAKH BALES +/-3%
AHMEDABAD, 30 JULY: Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest estimate of India’s total cotton pressing numbers for 2025-26 season, which began on 1st October, 2025. The CAI Crop Committee met on Monday, the 27th July 2026 which was attended by 24 members representing various cotton growing regions of the country. Based on the input received from the members of eleven cotton growing state associations and other trade sources, the CAI Crop Committee has estimated cotton pressing of each state for 2025-26 season and also drawn cotton balance sheets till the end of June 2026 and also till end of ongoing crop year 2025-26 on 30th September 2026. The state-wise break-up of cotton pressing numbers as well as balance sheets drawn by the CAI Crop Committee at the above meeting are enclosed.
The following are the salient features of the CAI Crop Report: –
- COTTON PRESSING
As per the latest report submitted by upcountry associations and trade sources at the above CAI Crop Committee meeting, CAI’s total cotton pressing estimate of the country for 2025-26 season has been increased by 3.00 lakh bales to 337.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 353.64 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) +/- 3% from 334.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 350.49 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier.
The Committee members will have a close watch on the cotton pressing numbers in the subsequent months and if any addition or reduction is required to be made in the pressing estimates, the same will be made in the CAI reports of the subsequent months.
- CONSUMPTION
Based on the report of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), CAI has increased India’s total cotton consumption during 2025-26 i.e. upto 30th September 2026 by 10.00 lakh bales to 348.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 365.19 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 338.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 354.69 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier. Total cotton consumption estimated by the CAI during the ongoing crop year 2025-26 is higher by 29.00 lakh bales than 319.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 334.75 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated during last year.
Upto 30th June 2026, cotton consumption is estimated at 261.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 273.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
- IMPORTS
The CAI has increased its estimate of cotton imports into India during 2025-26 season by 13.00 lakh bales to 60.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 62.96 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 47.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 49.32 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier.
The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the ongoing 2025-26 season are higher by 19.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each than 41.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated for the last year.
Upto 30th June 2026, about 51.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 53.52 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have arrived the Indian ports.
- EXPORTS
The CAI has reduced its cotton exports estimate for the 2025-26 season by 3.00 lakh bales to 15.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 15.74 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier.
The cotton exports estimated by the CAI for the ongoing 2025-26 season are lower by 3.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each than 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated for the last year.
Upto 30th June 2026, about 11.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 11.81 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have been shipped by the country.
- TOTAL COTTON SUPPLY
Total cotton supply till end of the 2025-26 season i.e. upto 30th September 2026 is estimated at 452.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 474.94 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against the last year’s total supply of 392.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 411.98 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The total cotton supply estimated for the ongoing 2025-26 crop year consists of the opening stock of 55.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 58.34 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) at the beginning of the season on 1st October 2025, cotton pressing numbers for the season estimated at 337.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each and imports for the season estimated at 60.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each. The opening stock has been revised downward by 5 lakh bales pursuant to the decision of the seven-member Committee constituted to reconcile stock, with a corresponding increase in domestic consumption for the 2024-25 season.
Total cotton availability till end June 2026 is estimated at 434.97 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 456.45 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) and the same consists of the opening stock of 55.59 lakh bales at the beginning of the season on 1st October 2025, cotton pressing estimated at 328.38 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each upto 30th June 2026 and imports of 51.00 lakh bales estimated till end June 2026.
- AVAILABLE SURPLUS
Total available surplus (i.e. total supply of 452.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each less total domestic demand estimated at 348.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each) works out to 104.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 109.75 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) at the end of 2025-26 season i.e. upto 30th September 2026 as against the last year’s available surplus of 73.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 77.22 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
- CLOSING STOCK AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026
The closing stock at the end of 2025-26 season on 30th September 2026 is increased by 4.00 lakh bales to 89.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 94.01 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 85.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 89.82 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier. It is higher by 34.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each from the closing stock of 55.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 58.34 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) for the previous year on 30th September 2025.
The closing stock as on 30th June 2026 is estimated at 162.72 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 170.76 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), which consists of 94.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 99.17 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with textile mills and 68.22 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 71.59 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with CCI, Maharashtra Federation, MNCs, Ginners, Traders, etc. including cotton sold but not delivered.
(Disclaimer: The information provided here is investment advice only. Investing in the markets is subject to risks and please consult your advisor before investing.)
(સ્પષ્ટતા: અત્રેથી આપવામાં આવતી તમામ પ્રકારની માહિતી કોઇપણ પ્રકારે રોકાણ/ ટ્રેડીંગ માટેની સલાહ નથી. બજારોમાં રોકાણ જોખમોને આધીન છે અને રોકાણ કરતા પહેલા કૃપા કરીને તમારા સલાહકારની સલાહ લો. વધુમાં અત્રે પ્રગટ થયેલા કોઇપણ સમાચાર કે વિગતો સાથે businessgujarat.in અંશતઃ કે સંપુર્સણપણે સહમત નથી.)
