CAI PEGS INDIA’S COTTON PRESSING ESTIMATE FOR
2025-26 SEASON AT 309.50 LAKH BALES +/- 3%
---------
Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest 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 increased its cotton pressing estimate for 2025-26 season by 4.50 lakh bales and estimated the same at 309.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 324.78 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) +/- 3%. 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 November 2025 is estimated at 148.37 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 155.70 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) which consists of the cotton pressing of 69.78 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 73.23 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), imports of 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 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 November 2025 at 48.40 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 50.79 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) while the export shipments upto 30th November 2025 are estimated by the CAI at 3.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each. Stock at the end of November 2025 is estimated at 96.97 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 101.76 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) including 50.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 52.47 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) with textile mills and the remaining 46.97 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 49.29 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 420.09 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 440.84 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 for the ongoing 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 2025-26 season on 1st October 2025, cotton pressing numbers estimated for the season at 309.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 324.78 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) and imports for the season estimated at 50.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 52.47 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the season are higher by 9.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each compared to last year. The domestic consumption is estimated at 295.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 309.57 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). The exports for the season 2025-26 are estimated at 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) i.e. same as estimated for 2024-25 season.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CAI CROP COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 5TH DECEMBER 2025
The Crop Committee of the Cotton Association of India (CAI) held its meeting on Friday, the 5th December 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 295.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 309.57 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 30th November 2025, the consumption is estimated at 48.40 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 50.79 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, total cotton pressing numbers for 2025-26 season are increased by 4.50 lakh bales and estimated the same at 309.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 324.78 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) +/-3% from 305.00 lakh bales of 170 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)
|
States |
Increase (+) / Decrease (-) |
|
Gujarat |
+3.00 |
|
Maharashtra |
+3.00 |
|
Telangana |
-2.50 |
|
Karnataka |
+1.00 |
|
TOTAL |
+4.50 |
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 CAI has increased its cotton imports for the 2025-26 season by 5.00 lakh bales to 50.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 52.47 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 45.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated previously.
The cotton imports estimated by the CAI for the season are higher by 9.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each than 41.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated for the last year.
Upto 30th November 2025, about 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have arrived the Indian Ports.
4. EXPORTS
The CAI has increased its cotton exports for the 2025-26 season by 1.00 lakh bales to 18.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 18.89 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) from 17.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each estimated previously.
The cotton exports for 2025-26 crop year are maintained at the same level as estimated last crop year.
Upto 30th November 2025, about 3.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 3.15 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 107.09 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 112.38 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) which is higher by 46.50 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.
Vinay N. Kotak Atul S. Ganatra
President Chairman, CAI Crop Committee
Mumbai
Date: 06th December 2025
