CAI INCREASES INDIA’S COTTON PRESSING ESTIMATE FOR THE
2025-26 SEASON TO 339.00 LAKH BALES +/-3%
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Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest estimate of India’s total cotton pressing for the 2025-26 season, which commenced on 1st October 2025. The CAI Crop Committee met on Monday, 10th August 2026, and was attended by 16 members representing various cotton-growing regions of the country.
Based on inputs received from members of eleven cotton-growing state associations and other trade sources, the CAI Crop Committee estimated the state-wise cotton pressing for the 2025-26 season and prepared the cotton balance sheets up to 31st July 2026 and for the entire crop year ending 30th September 2026. The state-wise cotton pressing figures and balance sheets are enclosed.
The following are the salient features of the CAI Crop Report: -
1. COTTON PRESSING
As per the latest report submitted by upcountry associations and trade sources at the CAI Crop Committee meeting, CAI’s total cotton pressing estimate for the country for the 2025-26 season has been increased by 2.00 lakh bales to 339.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 355.74 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) ±3%, from 337.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 353.64 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) estimated earlier.
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 (-) |
| Upper Rajasthan | -0.25 |
| Lower Rajasthan | +0.25 |
| Maharashtra | +0.50 |
| Madhya Pradesh | +0.50 |
| Karnataka | +0.50 |
| Tamil Nadu | +0.50 |
| Total | +2.00 |
The Committee members will closely monitor the cotton pressing estimates in the subsequent months. Any addition or reduction required will be reflected in the CAI reports of the subsequent months.
2. CONSUMPTION
CAI has maintained India’s total cotton consumption during the 2025-26 season, i.e. up to 30th September 2026, at 348.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 365.19 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), at the same level as estimated earlier.
Total cotton consumption estimated by CAI during the ongoing 2025-26 crop year is higher by 29.00 lakh bales than the 319.00 lakh bales estimated during the previous year.
Up to 31st July 2026, cotton consumption is estimated at 290.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 304.32 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each).
3. IMPORTS
CAI has increased its estimate of cotton imports into India during the 2025-26 season by 2.00 lakh bales to 62.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 65.06 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), from 60.00 lakh bales estimated earlier.
The cotton imports estimated by CAI for the ongoing 2025-26 season are higher by 21.00 lakh bales than the 41.00 lakh bales estimated for the previous year.
Up to 31st July 2026, about 54.00 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 56.67 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have arrived at Indian ports.
4. EXPORTS
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), at the same level as estimated earlier.
The cotton exports estimated by CAI for the ongoing 2025-26 season are lower by 3.00 lakh bales than the 18.00 lakh bales estimated for the previous year.
Up to 31st July 2026, about 12.25 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 12.85 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) are estimated to have been shipped by the country.
5. TOTAL COTTON SUPPLY
Total cotton supply till the end of the 2025-26 season, i.e. up to 30th September 2026, is estimated at 456.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 479.14 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), as against 392.59 lakh bales estimated for the previous year.
The total cotton supply estimated for the ongoing 2025-26 crop year consists of opening stock of 55.59 lakh bales, cotton pressing of 339.00 lakh bales and imports of 62.00 lakh bales.
6. AVAILABLE SURPLUS
Total available surplus, i.e. total supply of 456.59 lakh bales less total domestic demand of 348.00 lakh bales, works out to 108.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 113.95 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each) at the end of the 2025-26 season, as against 73.59 lakh bales during the previous year.
7. CLOSING STOCK AS AT 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026
The closing stock at the end of the 2025-26 season on 30th September 2026 is increased by 4.00 lakh bales to 93.59 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 98.21 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each), from 89.59 lakh bales estimated earlier.
The closing stock of 93.59 lakh bales is higher by 38.00 lakh bales than the closing stock of 55.59 lakh bales as at 30th September 2025.
The closing stock as on 31st July 2026 is estimated at 140.24 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each (equivalent to 147.17 lakh running bales of 162 kgs. each). This consists of 87.00 lakh bales with textile mills and 53.24 lakh bales 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: 11th August 2026
