CAI raises cotton production forecast for 2024-25 to 31.24 million bales

The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has increased its cotton production forecast for the 2024-25 season to 31.24 million bales (each weighing 170 kg) from its previous estimate of 31.14 million bales. The final production for the 2023-24 season was 33.645 million bales.

The CAI's latest report says, India is estimated to have supplied 38.303 million bales of cotton through the end of August 2025. This total includes an opening stock of 3.919 million bales at the start of the season (October 1, 2024), pressings of 30.709 million bales, and imports of 3.675 million bales.

The CAI also estimates that domestic consumption reached 28.6 million bales by the end of August 2025, with exports at 1.7 million bales. The projected ending stock for the same period is 8.003 million bales. This includes 3.5 million bales held by textile mills and 4.503 million bales held by various other entities like the CCI, the Maharashtra Federation, and traders.

For the entire 2024-25 cotton season, ending on September 30, 2025, CAI projects, India’s cotton supply will reach 39.259 million bales as against the previous estimate of 38.959 million bales. This total supply will include opening stock, updated production estimate, and a significant increase in projected imports to 4.1 million bales – as against1.52 million bales imported in the 2023-24 season. The CAI has maintained its estimates for the full season's domestic consumption at 31.4 million bales while estimates for exports have been reduced to 1.8 million bales. from the 2.836 million bales recorded in the 2023-24 season.