The December estimate of the cotton pressing numbers for the 2024–25 season, which starts on October 1, 2024, was published by the Cotton Association of India (CAI). The Committee has raised its cotton pressing estimate for the 2024–25 season by 2 lakh bales to 304.25 lakh bales of 170 kg based on feedback from members of 11 cotton growing state associations and other trade sources. each, or 319.27 lakh running bales weighing 162 kg each. Enclosed are the season’s balance sheet and a breakdown of cotton pressing numbers by state, along with the relevant data from the prior crop year.
The total cotton supply till end of December 2024 is estimated at 176.04 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 184.73 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) which consists of the pressing figures of 133.85 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 140.46 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), imports of 12.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 12.59 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) and the opening stock estimated by the CAI at 30.19 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 31.68 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) at the beginning of the season.
Further, the CAI has estimated cotton consumption upto the end of December 2024 at 84.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 88.15 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) while the export shipments upto 31st December 2024 are estimated at 7.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 7.35 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). Stock at the end of December 2024 is estimated at 85.04 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 89.24 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) including 25.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 26.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with textile mills and the remaining 60.04 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 63.00
lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with CCI, Maharashtra Federation and others (MNCs, traders, ginners, etc.) including cotton sold but not delivered.
The CAI has increased its total cotton supply estimate till end of the cotton season 2024-25 (i.e. upto 30th September 2025) by 2.00 lakh bales to 359.44 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 377.19 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against 357.44 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 375.09 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated previously. The total cotton supply consists of the opening stock of 30.19 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each at the beginning of 2024- 25 season on 1st October 2024, cotton pressing numbers estimated for the season at 304.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each and imports for the season estimated at 25.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 26.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the season are higher by 9.80 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each compared to last year.
The CAI has increased its domestic consumption estimate for the season by 2.00 lakh bales to 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 330.56 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 313.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 328.46 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each)
estimated previously. The exports for the season 2024-25 estimated by the CAI are the same as estimated previously i.e. 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The cotton exports estimated by the CAI for the 2024-25 season are lower by 10.36 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each compared to last year.
The closing stock as at the end of the cotton season 2024-25 on 30th September 2025 is estimated at 26.44 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each. (equivalent to 27.75 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CAI CROP COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 22ND JANUARY 2025
The CAI Crop Committee, which met on 22nd January 2025, was attended by 22 members across all cotton growing states. Based on the input given by the representatives of each state association, the CAI Crop Committee has estimated total cotton pressing numbers for 2024-25 season and has also drawn cotton balance sheet for 2024-25 season.
The following are the salient features of the CAI crop report: –
- CONSUMPTION
CAI has increased its cotton consumption estimate for 2024-25 season by 2 lakh bales to 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 330.56 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 313.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 328.46 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated previously.
- COTTON PRESSING
As per the crop report submitted by upcountry associations and trade sources at the meeting of the CAI Crop Committee, the Committee has increased its cotton pressing estimate for 2024-25 season by 2.00 lakh bales to 304.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 319.27 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 302.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 317.18 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated previously.
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)
The Committee members will have a close watch on the pressing numbers of cotton in the subsequent months and if any addition or reduction is required to be made in the pressing numbers, the same will be made in the CAI report.
- IMPORTS
The cotton imports into India are estimated at 25.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 26.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) during 2024-25 season as against 15.20 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 15.95 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated for last season. The cotton imports estimated for the ongoing crop year 2024-25 are higher by 9.80 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each compared to last year.
Upto 31st December 2024 about 12.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 12.59 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have arrived the Indian Ports.
- EXPORTS
The Committee has retained its cotton exports estimate at 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against 28.36 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 29.76 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated for the last season. The cotton exports estimated for the ongoing crop year 2024-25 are lower by 10.36
lakh bales of 170 kgs. each compared to last year.
- CLOSING STOCK AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025
The closing stock as on 30th September 2025 is estimated at 26.44 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 27.75 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against 30.19 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 31.68 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) in last year.
