India’s opening stocks of cotton for the new crop year 2026-27 starting October are estimated higher by 68 per cent at a record high of 93.59 lakh bales (170 kg) over 55.59 lakh balesin 2025-26 on record imports of the fibre crop.As per the latest estimates by the Trade body Cotton Association of India (CAI), closing stocks for the current crop year 2025-26 ending September will be 93.59 lakh bales, 38 lakh bales higher than last year.The trade body has yet again raised production estimates for the 2025-26 season by 2 lakh bales to 339 lakh bales, according to a statement released by CAI President Vinay N Kotak and CAI Crop Committee Chairman, Atul S Ganatra. The increase in projections is on account of upward revision of pressing estimates in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Last month, CAI had raised projections by 3 lakh bales to 337 lakh bales.Offtake pegged at 348 lakh balesGanatra attributed the record closing stocks to the surge in the imports in the past two years. “Cotton imports of 62 lakh bales this year is a record. We have never done this much of import in a year. Over the last two-three decades, our annual imports were in the range of 15-20 lakh bales. Last year, our imports went up to 41 lakh bales. Due to the record imports in the last two years, our closing stock is also a record,” Ganatra said.Till July-end, cotton imports of 54 lakh bales have already taken place and another eight lakh bales are expected till September end. Presently, the cotton imports are duty free till end October this year.CAI has maintained the consumption at 348 lakh bales, which is higher by around 29 lakh bales than previous year’s 319 lakh bales. Till end July the cotton consumption in the country stood at 290 lakh bales. Cotton exports for the year are estimated at 15 lakh bales, lower by around 3 lakh bales from previous year’s 18 lakh bales. Till July end about 12.25 lakh bales are estimated to have been exported from the country.Currently, the cotton prices are witnessing a firm trend following the global trend and domestic demand coupled with a potential delay in arrival of new crop on account of delayed sowing. Prices of the cotton sold by Cotton Corporation of India were up by ₹200 per candy (356 kg) on Tuesday. Over the past two weeks, CCI cotton prices have firmed up ₹1,400 per candy. Cotton acreage in the ongoing kharif season are estimated at over 106 lakh hectare, almost similar to last year’s levels.Published on August 11, 2026