The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has pegged its first estimate of cotton pressing for the 2026-27 season at 280.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each, subject to a margin of plus or minus 3%. In terms of running bales of 162 kg, this is equivalent to 294 lakh bales.
State-wise breakdown
The northern zone is expected to contribute a combined 28.00 lakh bales, made up as follows: Punjab, 1.25 lakh bales; Haryana, 8.00 lakh bales; Upper Rajasthan, 11.25 lakh bales; and Lower Rajasthan, 7.50 lakh bales.
The central zone, the largest producing region, is forecast to deliver 176.00 lakh bales in total. Gujarat is projected at 66.00 lakh bales, Maharashtra at 91.00 lakh bales and Madhya Pradesh at 19.00 lakh bales.
In the south, the combined output is estimated at 71.00 lakh bales. Telangana is expected to account for 34.00 lakh bales, Andhra Pradesh for 12.00 lakh bales, Karnataka for 20.00 lakh bales and Tamil Nadu for 5.00 lakh bales.
Odisha is projected at 3.00 lakh bales, while other states together are expected to add 2.00 lakh bales. This brings the total crop to 280.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each.
Balance sheet for 2026-27
CAI has also released its cotton balance sheet for the season. Opening stock as of October 1, 2026, is estimated at 72.88 lakh bales. With the 2026-27 crop of 280.00 lakh bales and imports of 65.00 lakh bales added, total supply available comes to 417.88 lakh bales.
On the demand side, domestic cotton consumption is projected at 365 lakh bales, while exports are estimated at 12.0 lakh bales, taking total consumption to 377 lakh bales.
After deducting usage from total supply, closing stock for the year ending September 30, 2027, is estimated at 40.88 lakh bales of 170 kg each.
