CAI Lowers 2024-25 Cotton Pressing Estimate To 301.75 Lakh Bales
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has revised its cotton pressing estimate for the 2024-25 season downward by 2.5 lakh bales, bringing the total projection to 301.75 lakh bales of 170 kgs each. This marks a reduction from the previous estimate of 304.25 lakh bales. The revision is based on input from members of 11 cotton-growing state associations and trade sources.
As of January 2025, total cotton supply is estimated at 234.26 lakh bales, including 188.07 lakh bales from pressing, 16 lakh bales from imports, and an opening stock of 30.19 lakh bales. Meanwhile, domestic cotton consumption till January stands at 114 lakh bales, while exports have reached 8 lakh bales. The closing stock at the end of January is projected at 112.26 lakh bales, with 27 lakh bales held by textile mills and the rest with entities like the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and traders.
For the full season, the CAI has reduced its total cotton supply estimate to 357.94 lakh bales from the previous 359.44 lakh bales. While domestic consumption remains unchanged at 315 lakh bales, cotton imports have been revised upward to 26 lakh bales, reflecting a 10.80 lakh bales increase from last year. In contrast, cotton exports are projected to decline significantly to 17 lakh bales, down from 28.36 lakh bales in 2023-24.
The closing stock for the season, as of September 30, 2025, is now estimated at 25.94 lakh bales, a drop from 30.19 lakh bales in the previous year. The CAI Crop Committee, which met virtually on February 13, 2025, stated that it would closely monitor pressing numbers in the coming months and revise estimates as needed.
