Cotton Output and Trade Likely to Decline

11-Dec-2025 02:04 PM

Mumbai. The Cotton Production and Utilization Committee (CPUC) has projected a decline in cotton production, imports, and exports during the current marketing season (October-September) of 2025-26 compared to the 2024-25 season.

It is noteworthy that this committee includes representatives from all stakeholders in the cotton sector, and therefore its figures are considered highly reliable.

A review meeting of this committee was held at the beginning of this week, where the cotton balance sheet was seriously considered.

According to the committee's report, the country produced a total of 297.24 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton during the 2024-25 season, while this is expected to decrease to 292.15 lakh bales in the 2025-26 season.

This figure from the committee is in line with the first advance estimate of the Central Ministry of Agriculture.

Similarly, the total import of cotton in the country during the period under review is expected to decline from 41.40 lakh bales to 40 lakh bales.

It is worth noting that, in contrast, a leading trade body, the Cotton Association of India (CAI), has projected that cotton imports will surge to a peak level of 50 lakh bales in the 2025-26 season.

According to the committee's report, with a previous carry-over stock of 45.50 lakh bales, a projected import of 40 lakh bales, and an estimated production of 292.15 lakh bales during the current marketing season, the total availability of cotton in the domestic market could reach 377.65 lakh bales, compared to 386.11 lakh bales in the 2024-25 season.

After domestic consumption and exports, the remaining surplus stock of cotton at the end of the current marketing season, i.e., September 30, 2026, is expected to decrease to 40.65 lakh bales.

Previously, the outstanding stock of cotton was estimated at 45.50 lakh bales on September 30, 2025, and 47.47 lakh bales on September 30, 2024.

According to the committee, approximately 18 lakh bales of cotton were exported from the country during the 2024-25 season, while in the current 2025-26 marketing season, this figure may decrease by 3 lakh bales to 15 lakh bales.

However, domestic consumption of cotton by large textile mills is estimated at 213 lakh bales, which is almost the same as the previous season. The estimated figures for non-mill consumption of cotton have also remained unchanged.