Trade body CAI sees marginal increase in output, while forecasting a dip in consumption
India’s cotton imports are likely to rise to a record 50 lakh bales of 170 kg each in the ongoing 2025-26 season starting October, according to estimates by the Cotton Association of India (CAI), the apex trade body. Cotton imports during 2024-25 season stood at 41 lakh bales.
Presently, the cotton imports are duty free till December-end this year. The imports of cotton till end November in the current season stood at 18 lakh bales as compared to about 8.8 lakh bales in the same period last year.
In its latest crop estimates, CAI has projected a marginal increase in the domestic output for 2025-26 season, forecasting a decline in consumption of the fibre crop for the year-ahead on lower demand from mills and tariff issue.
