News Capsule: CAI raises cotton production estimate
13-Apr-2026 09:20 AM
News Capsule: CAI raises cotton production estimate
★ The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has raised India’s cotton production estimate for the 2025-26 season to 324 lakh bales (170 kg each), up from the earlier 320.50 lakh bales.
★ The increase is mainly due to better-than-expected output in Maharashtra, where production has been revised upward from 98 lakh bales to 105 lakh bales.
★ However, Gujarat’s estimate has been reduced by 3 lakh bales to 72 lakh bales, while Madhya Pradesh’s estimate has been cut by 0.5 lakh bales to 17.5 lakh bales.
★ By the end of March, 292.74 lakh bales had arrived in markets. Strong demand has pushed domestic cotton prices above ₹60,000 per candy (356 kg), while the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) raised prices by ₹300 per candy on Friday and by a total of ₹1,400 over the past two weeks.