Cotton Association of India Raises 2025–26 Pressing Estimate to 320.50 Lakh Bales
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has revised India’s cotton pressing estimate for the 2025-26 season to 320.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (+/-3%). The updated estimate was finalised during a virtual meeting of the CAI Crop Committee held on 12 March 2026, with participation from representatives of cotton-growing regions across the country.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest assessment of India’s cotton pressing numbers for the 2025-26 season, which began on 1 October 2025. The CAI Crop Committee met virtually on Thursday, 12 March 2026, with 21 members representing different cotton-growing regions of India.
Based on inputs received from eleven cotton-growing state associations and other trade sources, the committee prepared updated estimates of state-wise cotton pressing for the current season. The committee also prepared cotton balance sheets covering the period up to 28 February 2026 and projections for the full crop year ending 30 September 2026.
Cotton Pressing
According to the latest report submitted by upcountry associations and trade sources during the meeting, CAI has increased its total cotton pressing estimate for 2025-26 by 3.50 lakh bales to 320.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 336.33 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) from 317.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 332.65 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) estimated earlier.
The revised state-wise changes compared to earlier estimates are:
- Punjab: −0.50 lakh bales
- Upper Rajasthan: −0.50 lakh bales
- Lower Rajasthan: −0.50 lakh bales
- Maharashtra: +4.00 lakh bales
- Andhra Pradesh: +1.00 lakh bales
Total change: +3.50 lakh bales
The committee stated that it will continue monitoring cotton pressing figures in the coming months and make revisions if required in subsequent reports.
Consumption
CAI has increased its estimate of India’s total cotton consumption during 2025-26 up to 30 September 2026 by 10.00 lakh bales, revising the figure to 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 330.56 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) from 305.00 lakh bales estimated earlier.
The revised estimate is 1 lakh bales higher than the 314.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each estimated during the previous year.
Cotton consumption up to 28 February 2026 is estimated at 131.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 137.73 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
Imports
CAI has reduced its estimate of cotton imports for the 2025-26 season by 3.00 lakh bales, bringing the figure to 47.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 49.32 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) from 50.00 lakh bales estimated earlier.
The import estimate for 2025-26 is 6.00 lakh bales higher than the 41.00 lakh bales estimated for the previous year.
Up to 28 February 2026, approximately 36.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 37.78 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) are estimated to have arrived at Indian ports.
Exports
CAI has maintained its cotton export estimate for 2025-26 at 15.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 15.74 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). This compares with 18.00 lakh bales estimated for the 2024-25 season.
Up to 28 February 2026, about 7.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 7.35 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) are estimated to have been exported.
Total Cotton Supply
Total cotton supply for the 2025-26 season ending 30 September 2026 is estimated at 428.09 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 449.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). In comparison, total supply during the previous year was 392.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs each.
The total supply estimate for the current season includes:
- Opening stock on 1 October 2025: 60.59 lakh bales
- Cotton pressing estimate: 320.50 lakh bales
- Imports: 47.00 lakh bales
Total cotton availability up to end February 2026 is estimated at 357.55 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 375.21 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). This includes opening stock of 60.59 lakh bales, cotton pressing of 260.96 lakh bales up to 28 February 2026, and imports of 36.00 lakh bales.
Available Surplus
The available surplus at the end of the 2025-26 season is estimated at 113.09 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 118.67 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). This is calculated as the difference between total supply of 428.09 lakh bales and domestic demand of 315.00 lakh bales.
The surplus compares with 78.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs each recorded during the previous year.
Closing Stock
CAI has reduced the projected closing stock as on 30 September 2026 by 9.50 lakh bales, revising it to 98.09 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 102.93 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) from 107.59 lakh bales estimated earlier.
The revised figure is 37.50 lakh bales higher than the closing stock of 60.59 lakh bales recorded on 30 September 2025.
As of 28 February 2026, closing stock is estimated at 219.30 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 230.13 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). This includes:
- 75.00 lakh bales with textile mills
- 144.30 lakh bales with CCI, Maharashtra Federation, MNCs, Ginners, Traders and others, including cotton sold but not delivered.