The Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption (CCPC) has provisionally estimated India’s cotton production lower at 292.15 lakh bales for the 2025-26 season. This is a decrease from the 297.24 lakh bales produced in the previous season and aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture’s first advanced estimate. The lower production, combined with a projected fall in imports to 40 lakh bales, is expected to result in lower ending stocks of 40.65 lakh bales.
Exports of the natural fibre are also pegged lower this season at 15 lakh bales, compared to 18 lakh bales last year. Consumption by mills and small-scale enterprises is expected to remain largely steady or slightly lower, with total demand estimated at 337 lakh bales. The CCPC, which includes stakeholders from across the sector, reviewed these figures during a meeting chaired by the Textile Commissioner.
This “cotton balance sheet” reflects current market dynamics and supply challenges within the domestic industry. While some industry bodies like the Cotton Association of India have higher import estimates, the CCPC maintains a more conservative outlook on overall supply. These projections are critical for textile manufacturers and exporters planning their operations for the upcoming marketing year.