CAI Raises India’s 2025-26 Cotton Pressing Estimate to 337 Lakh Bales
Cotton Association of India revises pressing consumption, imports and closing stock estimates for the 2025-26 cotton season.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest estimates for India's cotton crop and balance sheet for the 2025-26 cotton season, which commenced on 1 October 2025.
The estimates were finalised during the CAI Crop Committee meeting held on Monday, 27 July 2026, attended by 24 members representing various cotton-growing regions across the country. Based on inputs from eleven cotton-growing state associations and other trade sources, the committee revised state-wise cotton pressing estimates and prepared cotton balance sheets up to 30 June 2026 and for the full crop year ending 30 September 2026.
Cotton Pressing Revised Upward
According to the latest assessment, India's cotton pressing estimate for the 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%, compared with the earlier estimate of 334.00 lakh bales (equivalent to 350.49 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
The committee stated that it will continue monitoring cotton pressing during the remaining months of the season and revise the estimate further if necessary.
Domestic Cotton Consumption Increased
Based on data provided by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), CAI has revised India's cotton consumption for 2025-26 upward 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 the earlier estimate of 338.00 lakh bales.
The revised estimate is 29.00 lakh bales higher than the 319.00 lakh bales estimated for the previous season.
Up to 30 June 2026, domestic 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 Revised Higher
CAI has increased its cotton import estimate for the current 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), compared to the earlier estimate of 47.00 lakh bales.
The revised import estimate is 19.00 lakh bales higher than the 41.00 lakh bales imported during the previous season.
By 30 June 2026, approximately 51.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 53.52 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) are estimated to have arrived at Indian ports.
Exports Reduced
The association has lowered its cotton export estimate for 2025-26 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 the previous estimate of 18.00 lakh bales.
This is also 3.00 lakh bales lower than exports recorded during the previous season.
Up to 30 June 2026, cotton exports are estimated at 11.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 11.81 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
Total Cotton Supply
CAI estimates total cotton supply for the 2025-26 season at 452.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 474.94 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), compared with 392.59 lakh bales in the previous year.
The projected supply includes:
- Opening stock: 55.59 lakh bales
- Cotton pressing: 337.00 lakh bales
- Imports: 60.00 lakh bales
The opening stock was revised downward by 5.00 lakh bales following the decision of the seven-member committee formed to reconcile stock figures, with a corresponding increase in domestic consumption for the 2024-25 season.
Total cotton availability up to 30 June 2026 is estimated at 434.97 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 456.45 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), comprising the opening stock, 328.38 lakh bales of cotton pressing up to June-end, and 51.00 lakh bales of imports.
Available Surplus
The available surplus for the season, calculated as total supply minus domestic demand, is estimated at 104.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 109.75 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) by 30 September 2026.
This compares with 73.59 lakh bales recorded at the end of the previous season.
Closing Stock Estimate Increased
CAI has increased the projected closing stock for 30 September 2026 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), compared with the earlier estimate of 85.59 lakh bales.
The projected closing stock is 34.00 lakh bales higher than the closing stock of 55.59 lakh bales recorded on 30 September 2025.
As of 30 June 2026, closing stock is estimated at 162.72 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 170.76 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). This includes:
- 94.50 lakh bales with textile mills.
- 68.22 lakh bales with CCI, Maharashtra Federation, MNCs, ginners, traders, including cotton sold but not yet delivered.