2.50 lakh bales cut in cotton pressing estimate
14-Feb-2025 08:40 PM
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has revised its cotton pressing estimate for the 2024-25 marketing season (October-September) downward by 2.5 lakh bales, bringing the expected total down to 301.75 lakh bales. This reduction is due to lower estimates in key cotton-producing states:
- Punjab: A decrease of 25 thousand bales.
- Haryana: A reduction of 1.2 lakh bales.
- Rajasthan: A reduction of 1.08 lakh bales.
- Gujarat: A reduction of 5 lakh bales.
- Telangana: An increase of 5 lakh bales, compensating for the reduction in Gujarat.
Despite this reduction in pressing, the consumption estimate for cotton in the 2024-25 season remains unchanged at 315 lakh bales, with 114 lakh bales already consumed by January 31, 2025. The import estimate has been revised upward from 25 lakh bales to 26 lakh bales, reflecting a higher import volume than in the 2023-24 season.
In terms of exports, the CAI expects a decline in cotton export volume from 28.36 lakh bales in the previous season to 17 lakh bales in the current season. This is a reduction of 11.36 lakh bales, and it is 1 lakh bale lower than last month's estimate.
The surplus stock at the end of the 2024-25 marketing season (September 30, 2025) is expected to be 25.94 lakh bales, a decrease from the 30.19 lakh bales at the end of the 2023-24 season.
In summary:
- Cotton pressing estimate reduced by 2.5 lakh bales.
- Cotton consumption estimate unchanged at 315 lakh bales.
- Cotton imports increased to 26 lakh bales.
- Cotton exports expected to decrease to 17 lakh bales.
- Surplus stock at the end of the season expected to be 25.94 lakh bales.
This indicates a tightening of cotton supply in India despite strong domestic consumption.