The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its February estimate for the cotton pressing numbers for the 2024-25 season, which commenced on October 1, 2024. Based on data received from 11 state cotton-growing associations and other trade sources, the CAI Crop Committee has revised its cotton pressing estimate downward by 6.45 lakh bales to 295.30 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 309.88 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), from the previous estimate of 301.75 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 316.65 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). The state-wise breakdown of cotton pressing figures and the updated balance sheet for the season, along with the corresponding data from the previous crop year, are enclosed.
Cotton Supply and Stock as of February 2025
The total cotton supply up to the end of February 2025 is estimated at 275.76 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 289.38 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). This includes:
- Cotton pressing: 223.57 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 234.61 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each)
- Imports: 22.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 23.09 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each)
- Opening stock: 30.19 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 31.68 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each)
Consumption, Exports, and Closing Stock
- Cotton consumption up to February 2025: Estimated at 142.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 149.01 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each)
- Export shipments up to February 28, 2025: Estimated at 9.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 9.44 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each)
- Stock at the end of February 2025: Estimated at 124.76 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 130.92 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), with:
- Textile mills: 28.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 29.38 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each)
- CCI, Maharashtra Federation, and other traders: 96.76 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 101.54 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), including cotton sold but not delivered.
Total Cotton Supply for the 2024-25 Season
The CAI has revised its total cotton supply estimate for the entire 2024-25 season (up to September 30, 2025) downward by 2.45 lakh bales to 355.49 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 373.05 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), compared to the previous estimate of 357.94 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 375.62 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
The revised supply figures include:
- Opening stock: 30.19 lakh bales at the beginning of the season on October 1, 2024
- Cotton pressing estimate: 295.30 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 309.88 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each)
- Imports: Now estimated at 30.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 31.48 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), which is 14.80 lakh bales higher than last year
The CAI has maintained its domestic consumption estimate at 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 330.56 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each). Export estimates for the 2024-25 season are 17.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 17.84 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), compared to 28.36 lakh bales (equivalent to 29.76 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) in the previous season.
CAI Crop Committee Meeting Highlights (March 10, 2025)
The CAI Crop Committee convened virtually on March 10, 2025, with participation from 21 members representing different cotton-growing regions. Key takeaways include:
1. Cotton Consumption
- The domestic consumption estimate for 2024-25 remains at 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 330.56 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
- Consumption up to February 28, 2025, is estimated at 142.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 149.01 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
2. Cotton Pressing
- The estimated cotton pressing figures have been reduced by 6.45 lakh bales.
- State-wise changes in estimates:
- The Committee will continue monitoring pressing figures and adjust estimates if necessary.
3. Imports
- Cotton imports for 2024-25 season are now estimated at 30.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 31.48 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), up from 26.00 lakh bales estimated earlier.
- Imports are significantly higher by 14.80 lakh bales compared to last year’s estimate of 15.20 lakh bales.
- By February 28, 2025, an estimated 22.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 23.09 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) had arrived at Indian ports.
4. Exports
- The cotton export estimate for 2024-25 remains unchanged at 17.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 17.84 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each).
- This is 11.36 lakh bales lower than the 28.36 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 29.76 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) exported in the 2023-24 season.
5. Closing Stock as of September 30, 2025
- Estimated at 23.49 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 24.65 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each), compared to 30.19 lakh bales of 170 kgs each (equivalent to 31.68 lakh running bales of 162 kgs each) in the previous year.
The CAI will continue monitoring market trends and update estimates accordingly.
