The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has forecast an increase in cotton production in the country.
Written by Loksatta Team
January 23, 2025
Mumbai: The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has projected an increase in cotton production in the country. Increasing its previous estimate, it has estimated that the country will produce 304.25 lakh cotton bales (one bale = 170 kg of cotton) by the end of October 2025 in the 2024-25 season.
Cotton is produced in about eleven states in the country. This year, the highest production of 90 lakh bales is estimated from Maharashtra. This is followed by 80 lakh bales from Gujarat, 42 lakh bales from Telangana, 23 lakh bales from Karnataka, 19 lakh bales from Madhya Pradesh and 11 lakh bales from Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, 176.04 lakh bales of cotton have been supplied by the end of December. While 12 lakh bales have been imported.
According to CAI estimates, there were 30.19 lakh bales of cotton left in the country from the previous season. By the end of December, the textile industry has used a total of 84 lakh bales. While seven lakh bales have been exported.
Considering cotton production, previous years' stocks and potential imports, CAI estimates a total supply of 359.44 lakh bales in the cotton season 2024-25 by the end of September 2025. Meanwhile, traders in the private market are paying a price of Rs 6,500 to Rs 7,000 per quintal for cotton.
Therefore, farmers are demanding an increase in their purchase from the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) at the guaranteed price of Rs 7,500 per quintal. Accordingly, CCI has increased its purchases. Currently, CCI is purchasing 60 to 65 percent of the cotton coming into the market.
(Source: https://www.loksatta.com)