CAI National Crop Committee Meets in Mumbai; Cotton Crop Estimate for 2024-25 Pegged at 301.15 Lakh Bales
As previously announced, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) held an all-India meeting of its National Crop Committee along with stakeholders in Mumbai on Wednesday, 18th June 2025.
The meeting witnessed the participation of 52 members, including Crop Committee representatives, Presidents and Secretaries from all 11 upcountry State Associations, as well as mill members, MNCs, exporters, importers, traders, brokers, and other key figures from across the Indian cotton and textile value chain.
Following extensive discussions and analysis of pressing data from various states — submitted by respective State Associations and validated by stakeholder input — the Committee reached a consensus estimate for the 2024–25 cotton season at 301.15 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 316.02 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
The Committee also prepared:
- Cotton Pressing Estimates for 2024–25
- Balance Sheet for the Full Season Ending 30th September 2025
- Monthly Balance Sheet from October 2024 to May 2025
- State-wise Stock Position as of 31st May 2025
Shri Suresh Kotak, Chairman of the Textile Advisory Group and Kotak Group, also attended the session and shared his valued insights.
During the meeting, several stakeholders from across the cotton and textile industries voiced concerns about the continuously rising Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for cotton. They emphasized that increased MSPs disrupt natural market dynamics, raise input costs for textile mills, could lead to higher consumer prices, and undermine India's global competitiveness in cotton. The attendees highlighted the urgent need for a balanced approach — one that ensures remunerative pricing for farmers while preserving industry competitiveness.
Among the suggestions made were the implementation of a Bhavantar-like scheme and the revision of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) sales policy. Acknowledging the stakeholders’ concerns, Shri Kotak recognized the need for modifying the MSP structure and CCI policy and assured participants that he would convey the recommendations to the Government for further consideration.