Cotton imports are also revised upwards to 62 lakh bales for 2025-26.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has increased its estimate of India’s total cotton pressing for the 2025-26 season by 2 lakh bales to 339 lakh bales of 170 kg each, with a variation of ±3%. The previous estimate stood at 337 lakh bales.
The revised estimate follows a meeting of the CAI Crop Committee held recently, with representatives from major cotton-growing regions. State-level revisions include increases of 0.50 lakh bales each for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Lower Rajasthan’s estimate was raised by 0.25 lakh bales, while Upper Rajasthan was reduced by the same quantity.
CAI has maintained its cotton consumption estimate for the 2025-26 season at 348 lakh bales, compared with 319 lakh bales in the previous year. Consumption up to July 31, 2026, is estimated at 290 lakh bales.
The association has also raised its cotton import estimate by 2 lakh bales to 62 lakh bales for the season. This compares with imports of 41 lakh bales estimated for the previous year. Around 54 lakh bales are estimated to have arrived at Indian ports up to July 31, 2026.
Cotton exports are projected at 15 lakh bales, unchanged from the previous estimate and below the 18 lakh bales estimated for the preceding season. Around 12.25 lakh bales had been shipped up to July 31.
Total cotton supply for the 2025-26 season is estimated at 456.59 lakh bales, comprising an opening stock of 55.59 lakh bales, pressing of 339 lakh bales and imports of 62 lakh bales. After accounting for domestic demand of 348 lakh bales, the available surplus is projected at 108.59 lakh bales.
CAI has also increased its closing stock estimate for September 30, 2026, by 4 lakh bales to 93.59 lakh bales. This is 38 lakh bales higher than the closing stock of 55.59 lakh bales recorded at the end of the previous season.