CAI Estimates 2024-25 Cotton Pressing at 291.35 Lakh Bales

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest cotton pressing estimate for the 2024-25 season, which began on October 1, 2024. According to data provided by 11 state associations and various trade sources, the pressing estimate stands at 291.35 lakh bales of 170 kgs each, marginally up from the previous projection of 291.30 lakh bales.

As of April 2025, the total cotton supply is estimated at 325.89 lakh bales, comprising 268.20 lakh bales from pressing, 27.50 lakh bales from imports, and 30.19 lakh bales as opening stock. Consumption up to April has reached 185.00 lakh bales, while exports have been pegged at 10.00 lakh bales.

The stock at the end of April 2025 is estimated at 130.89 lakh bales, with 35.00 lakh bales held by textile mills and the remaining 95.89 lakh bales held by CCI, Maharashtra Federation, traders, and others.

For the entire 2024-25 season, total supply is projected at 354.54 lakh bales, up slightly from the previous estimate of 354.49 lakh bales. Imports are expected to rise significantly to 33.00 lakh bales, up by 17.80 lakh bales compared to last year.

However, the domestic consumption estimate has been revised downward to 307.00 lakh bales, from the earlier estimate of 315.00 lakh bales. Exports are projected to fall to 15.00 lakh bales, significantly lower than the 28.36 lakh bales estimated for the 2023-24 season.

The closing stock as on September 30, 2025, is expected to be 32.54 lakh bales, slightly higher than last year's 30.19 lakh bales.

These figures were finalized during a virtual meeting of the CAI Crop Committee held on May 24, 2025, with participation from representatives across India’s cotton-growing regions.