CAI LOWERS ITS COTTON PRESSING ESTIMATE FOR 2024-25
SEASON TO 295.30 LAKH BALES
---------
Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its February estimate of the cotton pressing numbers for 2024-25 season, which began on 1st October 2024. Based on input received from the members of 11 cotton growing state associations and other trade sources, the Committee has reduced its cotton pressing estimate for 2024-25 season 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 its 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 break-up of the Cotton pressing numbers as well as Balance Sheet for the season with the corresponding data for the previous crop year are enclosed.
The total cotton supply till 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) which consists of the pressings of 223.57 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 234.61 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), imports of 22.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 23.09 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 February 2025 at 142.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 149.01 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) while the export shipments upto 28th February 2025 are estimated by the CAI 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 is estimated at 124.76 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 130.92 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) including 28.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 29.38 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with textile mills and the remaining 96.76 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 101.54 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with CCI, Maharashtra Federation and others (MNCs, traders, ginners, exporters, etc.) including cotton sold but not delivered.
The CAI has decreased its total cotton supply till end of the cotton season 2024-25 (i.e. upto 30th September 2025) 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) as against 357.94 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 375.62 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated previously. The total cotton supply consists of the opening stock of 30.19 lakh bales at the beginning of 2024-25 season on 1st October 2024, cotton pressing numbers estimated for the season at 295.30 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 309.88 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) and imports for the season estimated at 30.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 31.48 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the season are higher by 14.80 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each compared to last year.
The CAI has retained its domestic consumption at 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 330.56 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated previously. The exports for the season 2024-25 are estimated at 17.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 17.84 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 2023-24 season.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CAI CROP COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 10TH MARCH 2025
The Crop Committee of the Cotton Association of India (CAI) held its meeting on Monday, the 10th March 2025 virtually, which was attended by 21 members representing various cotton growing regions of the country. 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: -
1. CONSUMPTION
The CAI has maintained cotton consumption for 2024-25 season at 315.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 330.56 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) i.e. same as estimated previously.
Upto 28th February 2025, the consumption 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
As per the latest report submitted by upcountry associations and trade sources at the meeting of the CAI Crop Committee, cotton pressing estimate for 2024-25 season has been reduced 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 its previous estimate of 301.75 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 316.65 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
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)
|
States |
Increase (+) / Decrease (-) |
|
Gujarat |
-4.00 |
|
Maharashtra |
-3.00 |
|
Central Zone |
-7.00 |
|
Orissa |
+0.55 |
|
TOTAL |
-6.45 |
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.
3. IMPORTS
The cotton imports for the 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) as against 26.00 lakh bales estimated previously. The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the season are higher by 14.80 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each than 15.20 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated for last year.
Upto 28th February 2025, about 22.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 23.09 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have arrived the Indian Ports.
4. EXPORTS
The CAI has maintained cotton exports for the 2024-25 season at 17.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 17.84 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as estimated previously. The cotton exports for 2024-25 crop year are estimated to be lower by 11.36 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each than 28.36 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 29.76 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated for the last season.
5. CLOSING STOCK AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2025
The closing stock at end of 2024-25 season on 30th September 2025 is estimated at 23.49 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 24.65 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.
Mumbai Atul S. Ganatra
Date: 11th March 2025 President
