India’s cotton production estimate has been revised upward to 291.35 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) from the previously projected 291.30 lakh bales. The Cotton Association of India (CAI) stated that the revision was due to increased output in the south-eastern state of Odisha. Meanwhile, cotton consumption, imports, and ending stocks have shown a sluggish trend in the trade.
In its April 2025 report, CAI has reduced the cotton consumption estimate by 8 lakh bales to 307 lakh bales, down from the earlier projection of 315 lakh bales for the current season.
Cotton is facing stiff competition from man-made fibres such as viscose, polyester, and others. Southern textile mills are increasingly inclined to use man-made fibres over cotton, with realisation from man-made fibres reaching up to 98 per cent, compared to 72–75 per cent for cotton. Labour shortages have also contributed to the slower consumption of cotton.
Additionally, the CAI has reduced its cotton export estimate by 1 lakh bale, from 16 lakh bales to 15 lakh bales, in the latest report. Of this, 10 lakh bales were shipped in the seven months since October 2024. Last year, exports were estimated at 28.36 lakh bales, indicating that India’s cotton exports will decline by 13.36 lakh bales this season.
Cotton imports have been maintained at 33 lakh bales, of which 27.5 lakh bales had already been imported by April this year. This figure is more than double the 15.20 lakh bales imported in the previous season.
Cotton ending stocks as of September 30, 2025, are expected to rise to 32.54 lakh bales, compared to 30.19 lakh bales at the end of the 2023–24 season.
Between October 1, 2024 and April 30, 2025, cotton production totalled 268.20 lakh bales, with an average daily pressing of 1.28 lakh bales. In April 2025 alone, 16.56 lakh bales were pressed, reflecting a decline in arrivals. Approximately 185 lakh bales were consumed over the past seven months, averaging 26.5 lakh bales per month.
As of the end of April 2025, spinning mills were estimated to hold stocks of around 35 lakh bales, equating to about 45 days of average consumption. Mills in north India have stocks for 60–75 days, while mills in southern and central regions have about 30 days of stock, bringing the national average to 42 days.
Around 95.89 lakh bales of cotton were stocked with the government’s nodal agency, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), as well as traders and ginners.
