Cotton sowing area may rise by nearly 7 per cent next season.
The Cotton Association of India convened an all-India meeting of its National Crop Committee with stakeholders in Mumbai on 25 May 2026 and estimated cotton pressings for the 2025-26 season at 334 lakh bales of 170 kg each.
The meeting was attended by 55 participants, including members of the CAI Crop Committee, presidents and secretaries of 11 upcountry state associations, mill representatives, MNCs, exporters, importers, traders, brokers and other stakeholders from the cotton and textile value chain.
After more than two-and-a-half hours of discussions, the committee finalised the estimate based on pressing data received from state associations and stakeholder feedback. The estimate is equivalent to 350.49 lakh running bales of 162 kg each.
The committee also prepared the cotton balance sheet for the first seven months of the season up to 30 April 2026 and for the full season ending 30 September 2026. During the discussion, differing views emerged on carry-over stock figures, following which a seven-member committee was formed to reconcile the numbers.
CAI also proposed conducting a survey through an independent agency to assess total cotton consumption in India. The matter will be discussed further at the next meeting of the CAI Board of Directors.
The committee also reviewed state-wise cotton sowing prospects for the next season. Based on reports from various states, farmers are expected to increase cotton acreage, supported by remunerative prices and better income during the current season. The all-India cotton sowing area is expected to rise by around 7 per cent.