Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released its latest estimate of India’s total cotton pressing numbers for the 2025-26 season, which began on October 1, 2025. CAI Crop Committee conducted a meeting on 27 July 2026, which was attended by 24 members representing various cotton-growing regions of the country. Based on the input received from the members of 11 cotton-growing state associations and other trade sources, the CAI Crop Committee has estimated cotton pressing of each state for the 2025-26 season and also drawn cotton balance sheets till the end of June 2026 and also till the end of the ongoing crop year 2025-26 on 30 September 2026.
As per the latest report submitted by upcountry associations and trade sources at the CAI Crop Committee meeting, CAI’s total cotton pressing estimate of the country for 2025-26 season has been increased by 3.00 lakh bales to 337.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 353.64 lakh running bales of 162 kg each) +/- 3% from 334.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 350.49 lakh running bales of 162 kg each) estimated earlier.
The Committee members will have a close watch on the cotton pressing numbers in the subsequent months and if any addition or reduction is required to be made in the pressing estimates, the same will be made in the CAI reports of the subsequent months.
Based on the report of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), CAI has increased India’s total cotton consumption during 2025-26 i.e. up to 30 September 2026 by 10.00 lakh bales to 348.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 365.19 lakh running bales of 162 kg each) from 338.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 354.69 lakh running bales of 162 kg each) estimated earlier. Total cotton consumption estimated by the CAI during the ongoing crop year 2025-26 is higher by 29.00 lakh bales than 319.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 334.75 lakh running bales of 162 kg each) estimated during last year.
Total cotton supply till end of the 2025-26 season, i.e. up to 30 September 2026, is estimated at 452.59 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 474.94 lakh running bales of 162 kg each) as against the last year’s total supply of 392.59 lakh bales of 170 kg each (equivalent to 411.98 lakh running bales of 162 kg each).
