CAI RELEASES ITS FIRST PRESSING ESTIMATE FOR
COTTON SEASON 2025-26 AT 305.00 LAKH BALES
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Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its first estimate of the cotton pressing numbers for 2025-26 season, which began on 1st October 2025. Based on input received from the members of 11 cotton growing state associations and other trade sources, the Association has placed its cotton pressing estimate for 2025-26 season at 305.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 320.06 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 supply for the month of October 2025 is estimated at 93.17 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 97.77 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) which consists of the cotton pressing of 24.58 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 25.79 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), imports of 8.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 8.40 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) and the opening stock estimated by the CAI at 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.
Further, the CAI has estimated cotton consumption for the month of October 2025 at 25.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 26.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) while the export shipments upto 31st October 2025 are estimated by the CAI at 1.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each. Stock at the end of October 2025 is estimated at 66.67 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 69.96 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) including 39.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 40.93 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with textile mills and the remaining 27.67 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 29.04 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 total cotton supply till end of the cotton season 2025-26 (i.e. upto 30th September 2026) is estimated at 410.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 430.87 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against the last year’s total cotton supply of 392.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 411.98 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The estimated cotton supply 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 2025-26 season on 1st October 2025, cotton pressing numbers estimated for the season at 305.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 320.06 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) and imports for the season estimated at 45.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 47.22 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the season are higher by 4.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each compared to last year. The domestic consumption is estimated at 300.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 314.81 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The exports for the season 2025-26 are estimated at 17.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 17.84 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as 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. The CAI estimates exports to be lower by 1.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each during 2025-26 crop year compared to last year.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CAI CROP COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 10TH NOVEMBER 2025
The Crop Committee of the Cotton Association of India (CAI) held its meeting on Monday, the 10th November 2025 virtually, which was attended by 18 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 2025-26 season and has also drawn cotton balance sheet for 2025-26 season.
The following are the salient features of the CAI crop report: -
1. CONSUMPTION
The CAI has estimated total cotton consumption during 2025-26 season i.e. upto 30th September 2026 at 300.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 314.81 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against 314.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 329.51 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) in last year.
Upto 31st October 2025, the consumption is estimated at 25.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 26.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
2. 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 arrived at its cotton pressing estimate at 305.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 320.06 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against the corresponding figure of 312.40 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 327.83 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) in 2024-25 season.
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 reports of the subsequent months.
3. IMPORTS
The cotton imports into India during 2025-26 season are estimated at 45.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 47.22 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against 41.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 43.02 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated for the last season.
Upto 31st October 2025, about 8.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 8.40 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have arrived the Indian Ports.
4. EXPORTS
The Committee has estimated cotton exports during the 2025-26 season at 17.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 17.84 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) as against 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated for the last season.
Upto 31st October 2025, about 1.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 1.57 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have been shipped by the country.
5. CLOSING STOCK AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026
The closing stock at the end of 2025-26 season on 30th September 2026 is estimated at 93.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 98.21 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) which is higher by 33 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.
Mumbai Atul S. Ganatra
Date: 11th November 2025 President
