Trade body Cotton Association of India (CAI) expects the area under fibre crop in the upcoming 2026 sowing season to rise by 7 per cent, based on the reports received from various states.
Farmers, encouraged by the remunerative prices and better income realised during the current season, are expected to bring a larger area under cotton cultivation during the next (crop) year (July-June), said Vinay N Kotak, President, CAI and Atul S Ganatra, Chairman, CAI Crop Committee, in a statement.
Cotton was planted on about 114.82 lakh hectares during 2025-26, according to data from the Agriculture Ministry. For the 2026-27 marketing season, the Centre has increased minimum support price by ₹557 per quintal to ₹8,267 for medium staple and ₹8,667 for long staple.
Imports seen 15% up
The National Crop Committee of CAI, which held a meeting with the stakeholders on Monday in Mumbai, deliberated on the State-wise cotton sowing prospects for the forthcoming season. The committee estimated total pressings/crop for the 2025-26 season at 334 lakh bales of 170 kg each, based on the inputs received from various state associations and stakeholders.
CAI sees imports for the 2025-26 season at 47 lakh bales of 170 kg each, an increase of around 15 per cent over previous year’s 41 lakh bales. Exports of cotton are seen flat at 18 lakh bales.
Domestic demand is pegged higher at 338 lakh bales, an increase of 7.6 per cent, while the surplus is estimated higher at 103.59 lakh bales over previous year’s 78.59 lakh bales.
41% higher ending stocks
The closing stocks for the 2025-26 season ending September are estimated at 85.59 lakh bales, about 41 per cent higher than previous year’s 60.59 lakh bales.
Further, the Committee also proposed conducting a survey through an independent agency to ascertain the total cotton consumption in India. It was decided that this matter would be discussed further at the ensuing meeting of the CAI Board of Directors, the statement said.
CAI said during the discussions, differing views emerged regarding the carry-over stock numbers. Accordingly, a seven-member Committee has been constituted to reconcile the stock figures.
Published on May 26, 2026