The Cotton Association of India (CAI) warned on Wednesday that lower production as a result of declining cotton acreage in the north and Gujarat is expected to cause India’s cotton exports to drop 36.53 per cent in the 2024–25 season to 18 lakh bales.
According to CAI data, the total exports for the 2023–24 season were 28.36 lakh bales.
CAI President Atul Ganatra informed that the drop in cotton exports is primarily due to reduced production, resulting from a 35 per cent decrease in acreage in the northern cotton-growing states (Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan) and a 15 per cent reduction in Gujarat. He added that this will help keep domestic cotton prices stable relative to global markets.
An anticipated 302.25 lakh bales of cotton would be pressed in the 2023–24 season, up from 327.45 lakh bales in the previous season.
Total cotton supply is expected to reach 108.41 lakh bales, including 69.22 lakh bales from pressing, 9 lakh bales in imports, and an opening stock of 30.19 lakh bales. Cotton consumption is estimated at 54 lakh bales, with exports at 4 lakh bales. The stock at November’s end is projected to be 50.41 lakh bales, according to CAI.
