This season’s expected Indian cotton imports which ends September 2026, exceeds last year’s 41.00 lakh cotton bale imports by a margin of 21.00 lakh bales. By July 31, 2026, roughly 54.00 lakh bales are believed to have landed at Indian ports, helping to push up 2026-27 opening stocks to new high.
The Cotton Association of India (CAI) in its latest report has raised projected season-end carry-over by 4.00 lakh bales to 93.59 lakh bales, an increase from the earlier estimate of 89.59 lakh bales. This figure stands 38.00 lakh bales higher than the 55.59 lakh bales recorded as carry-over on September 30, 2025.
According to the newest submissions from state-level trade bodies and market sources presented to the CAI, the nationwide pressing figure for 2025-26 season has been lifted by 2.00 lakh bales to reach 339.00 lakh bales from the previously projected 337.00 lakh bales.
The association has left its full-season consumption projection unchanged at 348.00 lakh bales. This season’s anticipated offtake sits 29.00 lakh bales above the 319.00 lakh bales logged during the preceding season. Till the period ending July 31, 2026, mill consumption is put at 290.00 lakh bales.
The Association’s export forecast for the season remains steady at 15.00 lakh bales, unchanged from the prior estimate. This represents a decline of 3.00 lakh bales against the 18.00 lakh bales shipped abroad during the previous season. As of July 31, 2026, around 12.25 lakh bales had already been exported.
Cumulative cotton availability for the 2025-26 season, running through to September 2026, is forecast at 456.59 lakh bales, up sharply from 392.59 lakh bales the year before. This total is made up of a carry-forward stock of 55.59 lakh bales, fresh pressing of 339.00 lakh bales, and imports of 62.00 lakh bales.
Deducting projected domestic use of 348.00 lakh bales from total availability of 456.59 lakh bales leaves a surplus of 108.59 lakh bales by season’s end, compared with 73.59 lakh bales with the previous season.
Stocks held as of July 2026 are pegged at 140.24 lakh bales, split between 87.00 lakh bales sitting with textile mills and 53.24 lakh bales held by CCI, the Maharashtra Federation, multinational firms, ginners and traders, including cotton already sold but awaiting delivery.
Image courtesy: Business Recorder
