India’s cotton imports for 2024-25 season seen higher at 33 lakh bales on shrinkage in domestic output

Till March end about 25 lakh bales of cotton are estimated to have arrived at the Indian ports
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PRASADRVS

India’s cotton imports for the 2024-25 season ending September are seen more than doubling to 33 lakh bales of 170 kg each on further shrinkage in the domestic crop. Last season, India’s cotton imports stood at 15.20 lakh bales.

The Cotton Association of India (CAI), in its latest projections, has revised upwards the import estimates to 33 lakh bales, up from earlier projections of 30 lakh bales. Till March end about 25 lakh bales are estimated to have arrived at the Indian ports.

The upward revision in imports is on expectations of lower than estimated domestic production even as the consumption is seen flat.

The trade body expects a shrinkage in the domestic crop further and has lowered its projections by 4 lakh bales to 291.30 lakh bales of 170 kg each, mainly on lower production in Maharashtra. Earlier the trade body had projected an output of 295.30 lakh bales. This revised lower projection is based on the inputs received from the state member associations as of March end, Atul Ganatra, President, CAI, said in a statement.

The decline in projections is on account of lower output in Maharashtra, where the production is seen declining by 5 lakh bales compared to the earlier estimates, while in Telangana the output is seen higher by 1 lakh bales.

CAI has estimated the total cotton supply till the end of March including the imports at 306.83 lakh bales. This includes the imports of 25 lakh bales of 170 kg each and also the opening stocks of 30.19 lakh bales.

For the 2024-25 season ending September, CAI has maintained the consumption at 315 lakh bales, same as estimated previously. Consumption till March end is estimated at 170 lakh bales. Exports till March 31 are estimated at 9 lakh bales.

Stocks at end of March are estimated at 127.83 lakh bales including 27 lakh bales held by the mills and the remaining 100.83 lakh bales with CCI, Maharashtra Federation and the trade.

Cotton exports for the 2024-25 season are pegged at 16 lakh bales, lower by 12.36 lakh bales over previous year’s 28.36 lakh bales, the trade body said.

The closing stock for 2024-25 season at end of September 2025 is estimated lower at 23.49 lakh bales from same period last year’s 30.19 lakh bales.