Closing stocks of cotton in the country for the current 2024-25 season ending September are estimated to be around 55.59 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) — about 84 per cent higher than the corresponding previous year’s 30.19 lakh bales, per trade body Cotton Association of India (CAI)’s latest estimates.
In a statement, CAI President, Atul Ganatra said the cotton pressing numbers for the 2024-25 season is estimated at 311.40 lakh bales — higher than its previous estimate of 301.14 lakh bales on higher crop size.
Higher pressing
The increase is attributed to higher than estimated pressing of the fibre crop in Maharashtra (5 lakh bales), Gujarat and Telangana at 1.5 lakh bales each and 1 lakh bales in Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan have also witnessed a marginal increase in pressing numbers on improved crop arrivals.
CAI estimates the total cotton supply till end June at 356.76 lakh bales, which consists of pressings of 296.57 lakh bales, imports of 30 lakh bales and opening stock of 30.19 lakh bales. Consumption till end-June stood at 233.5 lakh bales, while exports were estimated at 15.25 lakh bales. Stocks at the end of June 2025 is estimated at 108.01 lakh baless. This includes 32.00 lakh bales with textile mills and the remaining 76.01 lakh bales with CCI, Maharashtra Federation and others (MNCs, traders, ginners, exporters, etc) including cotton sold but not delivered.
Output rises
CAI has estimated the total cotton supply till end of the cotton season 2024-25 at 380.59 lakh bales against the earlier projection of 370.34 lakh bales on higher production in some States. Domestic consumption for the season is seen marginally higher at 308 lakh bales against the earlier projection of 305 lakh bales, while exports are projected at 17 lakh bales. In fact, the exports are seen lower by 40 per cent this season over corresponding last year’s 28.36 lakh bales.
Imports of cotton for 2024-25 are pegged at 39 lakh bales, more than double the previous year’s estimates of 15.2 lakh bales. Till June end, about 30 lakh bales are estimated to have arrived at the Indian ports, CAI said.
Meanwhile, the sowing of cotton has been progressing well in the key producing States. Till July 7, the fibre crop has been sown on around 79.54 lakh hectares (lh), marginally higher than 78.58 lh a year ago, per Agriculture Ministry data.
Published on July 11, 2025