Trade body Cotton Association of India (CAI) has raised the import projections of the fibre crop for the 2025-26 season ending September by 13 lakh bales to a new high of 60 lakh bales (of 170 kg each). This is in view of the consuming sector, taking advantage of the 11 per cent duty exemption, making record overseas purchases. Earlier, the trade body projected the imports at 47 lakh bales for the year.
The CAI, which released the latest pressing estimate on Wednesday, said cotton imports during 2025-26 will be higher by 19 lakh bales over the previous year.
Till end-June, about 51 lakh bales are estimated to have arrived at the Indian ports, said Vinay N Kotak, President, CAI, and Atul S Ganatra, Chairman, CAI Crop Committee, in a statement.
Currently, the cotton imports are duty-free for the June-October period. Ganatra said another 10-15 lakh bales of imports are expected by September-end. Mills are importing more and don’t want to miss out on the 11 per cent duty-free advantage, he said.
While projecting higher imports, CAI reduced the export estimate for the 2025-26 season by 3 lakh bales to 15 lakh bales from its earlier projections of 18 lakh bales. Last year, cotton exports were 18 lakh bales. Till the end of June in the current season to September 30, about 11.25 lakh bales have been shipped in. Based on the arrivals, CAI has raised the pressing estimate by 3 lakh bales to 337 lakh bales of 170 kg each.
Consumption Up
Based on the report of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), CAI has increased India’s total cotton consumption during 2025-26 by 10 lakh bales to 348 lakh bale, from the earlier estimate of 338 lakh bales. Till June 30, the consumption was estimated at 261 lakh bales.
CAI estimates the total cotton supply for the 2025-26 season at 452.59 lakh bales against 393.59 lakh bales last year. Total supply for 2025-26 comprises an opening stock of 55.59 lakh bales, pressing of 337 lakh bales and imports of 60 lakh bales. The opening stock has been cut by 5 lakh bales following the decision to reconcile stock with a corresponding increase in consumption for the 2024-25 season.
Published on July 29, 2026
