The most recent estimate of cotton pressing numbers for the 2023–24 season, which starts on October 1, 2023, has been provided by the Cotton Association of India (CAI). In contrast to its previous estimate of 323.02 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 338.97 lakh running bales of 162 kg each), the CAI Crop Committee meeting on October 14, 2024, determined that the total number of cotton pressings for the 2023–24 season in India was 325.29 lakh bales of 170 kg each, or 341.35 lakh running bales of 162 kg each. The CAI Crop Committee has determined the cotton pressing numbers for the 2023–24 season and created a cotton balance sheet based on feedback from members of all cotton growing state associations and other trade sources. as of September 30, 2024. Enclosed are the season’s balance sheet and cotton pressing numbers broken down by state, together with the comparable data from the previous crop year.
Until the end of the cotton season 2023–2024, or until September 30, 2024, the CAI Crop Committee estimates that the total supply of cotton will be 371.69 lakh bales of 170 kg each, or 390.05 lakh running bales of 162 kg each. This is 3.37 lakh bales more than its previous estimate of 368.32 lakh bales of 170 kg each, or 368.52 lakh running bales of 162 kg each. The opening stock of 28.90 lakh bales of 170 kg each (or 30.33 lakh running bales of 162 kg each) at the start of the 2023–24 cotton season on October 1, 2023, and the estimated number of cotton pressings for the season are 325.29 lakh bales of 170 kg each. and 17.50 lakh bales weighing 170 kg each are anticipated to be imported this season (equivalent to 18.36 lakh running bales weighing 162 kg each). The season’s anticipated imports of cotton have increased by 1.10 lakh bales over the prior estimate.
From its initial estimate of 317.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 332.65 lakh running bales of 162 kg each), the CAI has lowered its domestic consumption estimate by 4.00 lakh bales to 313.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 328.46 lakh running bales of 162 kg each). Compared to the prior projection of 28.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (or 29.38 lakh running bales of 162 kg each), the season’s exports are projected to be 28.50 lakh bales of 170 kg each, or 29.91 lakh running bales of 162 kg each. An estimated 15.50 lakh bales weighing 170 kg each were exported during the previous cotton season (2022–2023), which is equivalent to 16.27 lakh running bales weighing 162 kg each. The previously projected carryover stock was 23.32 lakh bales. The current estimate is 30.19 lakh bales of 170 kg each, which is comparable to 31.68 lakh running bales of 162 kg each, instead of 24.47 lakh bales of 170 kg each.
HIGHLIGHTS OF DELIBERATIONS HELD BY THE CAI CROP COMMITTEE ON 14TH OCTOBER 2024
Fifteen delegates from the country’s cotton-growing areas attended the Crop Committee meeting of the Cotton Association of India (CAI) on Monday, October 14, 2024. Based on information gathered from numerous trade sources, upcountry associations, and other stakeholders, the Committee developed its final estimate of the cotton pressing numbers for the 2023–24 season and created the estimated cotton balance sheet.
The following are the highlights of the deliberations held at this meeting: –
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CONSUMPTION
The cotton consumption for the current crop year 2023-24 is estimated at 313.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 328.46 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The previous year’s consumption estimate was 311.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 326.36 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
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COTTON PRESSING
The CAI has increased its estimate of cotton pressing for 2023-24 season to 325.29 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 341.35 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from its previous estimate of 323.02 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 338.97 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The changes made in the state-wise cotton pressing estimates compared to those estimated previously are given below: –
(In lakh bales of 170 kgs. each)
| State | Increase (+) / Decrease (-) |
| North | (-) 0.38 |
| Gujarat | (+) 0.50 |
| Maharashtra | (+) 0.55 |
| Madhya Pradesh | (+) 0.50 |
| Karnataka | (+) 1.10 |
| TOTAL | (+) 2.27 |
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IMPORTS
The cotton imports for 2023-24 season are estimated at 17.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.36 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). This imports estimate is higher by 5.00 lakh bales than the import estimate of 12.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 13.12 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) for the previous crop year 2022-23 and higher by 1.10 lakh bales than estimated previously.
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EXPORTS
The Committee estimated cotton exports for the current season at 28.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 29.91 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) which is higher by 0.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated previously.
The export estimated for the previous crop year 2022-23 were at 15.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 16.27 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
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CLOSING STOCK AS ON 30TH SEPTEMBER 2024
Closing stock as on 30th September 2024 is estimated by the Committee at 30.19 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 31.68 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
| Mumbai | Atul S. Ganatra |
| Date: 15th October 2024 | President |
