India’s cotton pressing revised upward to 339 lakh bales: CAI
The substantial upward revision marks a reversal from CAI’s initial expectation of lower production during the current season.
In its latest estimate, CAI raised the crop size by another 0.2 million bales from its previous projection of 33.7 million bales, following updated inputs from cotton-growing state associations and trade sources. The latest estimate of 33.9 million bales is also 8.5 per cent higher than the 31.24 million bales estimated for the 2024–25 season. The initial estimate of 30.5 million bales had indicated a decline of around 2.4 per cent from the previous season, meaning the production outlook has changed considerably as the season progressed.
CAI said the latest revision included increases of 50,000 bales each for Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Lower Rajasthan was revised upwards by 25,000 bales, while Upper Rajasthan was reduced by the same amount, resulting in a net increase of 0.2 million bales in the latest assessment.
Despite the higher domestic crop estimate, CAI has also raised its cotton import projection to 6.2 million bales from 6 million bales, compared with 4.1 million bales in the previous season. Around 5.4 million bales had already arrived at Indian ports by July 31.
Domestic cotton consumption is projected at 34.8 million bales, up from 31.9 million bales in 2024–25, while exports are estimated at 1.5 million bales, compared with 1.8 million bales in the previous season.
Higher production and imports are expected to lift India's total cotton supply to 45.659 million bales, compared with 39.259 million bales in 2024–25. Consequently, CAI expects closing stocks to rise sharply to 9.359 million bales by September 30, 2026, from 5.559 million bales a year earlier.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
