CAI INCREASES INDIA’S COTTON PRESSING ESTIMATE FOR THE
2025-26 SEASON TO 320.50 LAKH BALES +/-3%
---------------
Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest estimate of India’s total cotton pressing numbers for 2025-26 season, which began on 1st October, 2025. The CAI Crop Committee met on Thursday, the 12th March 2026 virtually which was attended by 21 members representing various cotton growing regions of the country. Based on the input received from the members of eleven cotton growing state associations and other trade sources, the CAI Crop Committee has estimated cotton pressing of each state for 2025-26 season and also drawn cotton balance sheets till the end of February 2026 and also till end of ongoing crop year 2025-26 on 30th September 2026. The state-wise break-up of cotton pressing numbers as well as balance sheets drawn by the CAI Crop Committee at the above meeting are enclosed.
The following are the salient features of the CAI Crop Report: -
- COTTON PRESSING
As per the latest report submitted by upcountry associations and trade sources at the above CAI Crop Committee meeting, CAI’s total cotton pressing estimate of the country for 2025-26 season has been increased 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) +/- 3% from 317.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 332.65 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier.
The changes made in the state-wise cotton pressing numbers compared to those estimated previously are given below: -
(In lakh bales of 170 kgs. each)
|
States |
Increase (+) / Decrease (-) |
|
Punjab |
-0.50 |
|
Upper Rajasthan |
-0.50 |
|
Lower Rajasthan |
-0.50 |
|
Maharashtra |
+4.00 |
|
Andhra Pradesh |
+1.00 |
|
TOTAL |
+3.50 |
The Committee members will have a close watch on the cotton pressing numbers in the subsequent months and if any addition or reduction is required to be made in the pressing estimates, the same will be made in the CAI reports of the subsequent months.
- CONSUMPTION
CAI has increased India’s total cotton consumption during 2025-26 i.e. upto 30th September 2026 by 10.00 lakh bales 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 of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 320.06 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier. Total cotton consumption estimated by the CAI during the ongoing crop year 2025-26 is higher by 1 lakh bales than 314.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 329.51 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated during last year.
Upto 28th February 2026, cotton consumption is estimated at 131.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 137.73 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
- IMPORTS
The CAI has reduced its estimate of cotton imports into India during 2025-26 season by 3.00 lakh bales 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 of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 52.47 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier.
The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the ongoing 2025-26 season are higher by 6.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each than 41.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated for the last year.
Upto 28th February 2026, about 36.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 37.78 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have arrived the Indian ports.
- EXPORTS
The CAI has maintained its cotton exports estimate for the 2025-26 season at 15.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 15.74 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), against 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated for 2024-25 season.
Upto 28th 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 shipped by the country.
- TOTAL COTTON SUPPLY
Total cotton supply till end of the 2025-26 season i.e. upto 30th September 2026 is estimated at 428.09 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 449.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against the last year’s total supply of 392.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 411.98 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The total cotton supply estimated for the ongoing 2025-26 crop year consists of the opening stock of 60.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 63.58 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) at the beginning of the season on 1st October 2025, cotton pressing numbers for the season estimated at 320.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each and imports for the season estimated at 47.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each.
Total cotton availability till 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) and the same consists of the opening stock of 60.59 lakh bales at the beginning of the season on 1st October 2025, cotton pressing estimated at 260.96 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each upto 28th February 2026 and imports of 36.00 lakh bales estimated till end February 2026.
- AVAILABLE SURPLUS
Total available surplus (i.e. total supply of 428.09 lakh bales less total domestic demand estimated at 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each) works out to 113.09 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 118.67 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) at the end of 2025-26 season i.e. upto 30th September 2026 as against the last year’s available surplus of 78.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 82.47 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
- CLOSING STOCK AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026
The closing stock at the end of 2025-26 season on 30th September 2026 is reduced by 9.50 lakh bales 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 of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 112.90 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier. It is higher by 37.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each from the closing stock of 60.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 63.58 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) for the previous year on 30th September 2025.
The closing stock as on 28th February 2026 is estimated at 219.30 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 230.13 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), which consists of 75.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 78.70 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with textile mills and 144.30 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 151.43 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with CCI, Maharashtra Federation, MNCs, Ginners, Traders, etc. including cotton sold but not delivered.
| Vinay N. Kotak | Atul S. Ganatra |
| President | Chairman, CAI Crop Committee |
| Mumbai | |
| Date: 13th March 2026 |