India’s cotton imports up three-fold till Nov-end at 9 lakh bales

India’s cotton imports witnessed a three-fold jump in the first two months of the 2024-25 season, which started in October. Imports of the fibre crop till November-end stood at 9 lakh bales (170 kg each), as per the Cotton Association of India’s latest data. In the same period last year, cotton imports stood at 3 lakh tonnes.

Taking advantage of the low global prices during August-September, Indian millers had contracted for cotton imports, which landed during October-November.

Atul Ganatra, Chairman, CAI, said shipments of around 4.5 lakh bales that were contracted during September got delayed and came in October. Till November end, about 9 lakh bales are estimated to have arrived at the Indian ports.

CAI has estimated that cotton imports into the country during 2024-25 at 25 lakh bales, up from 15.20 lakh bales in the 2023-24 season. The increase in imports is largely attributed to lower global prices, a decline in domestic crop size on account of a drop in acreage besides due to the adverse weather influencing the output and quality in various States.

Low production

Cotton production during 2024-25 is projected lower by 7 per cent at 302.25 lakh bales over325.29 lakh bales the previous year. Cotton prices have been on a bearish trend in the domestic market despite a lower crop on muted demand from mills and also tracking the global price trend.

With prices ruling below the minimum support price levels, the state-run Cotton Corporation of India has been the biggest buyer of the fibre crop with purchases exceeding 31 lakh bales till mid-December. CAI has maintained the pressing estimate for the 2024-25 season at 302.25 lakh bales.

Total supply till November end was estimated at 108.41 lakh bales consisting of opening stocks of 30.19 lakh bales, imports of 9 lakh bales and pressing figures of 69.22 lakh bales. Cotton consumption till November-end is estimated at 54 lakh bales, marginally higher than the same period last year’s 53 lakh bales. Consumption for 2024-25 is seen at 313 lakh bales.

Exports till November end this year stood at 4 lakh bales, up by a fourth over3 lakh bales last season. However, the exports for the 2024-25 season are estimated at lower at 18 lakh bales, down 10.36 lakh bales or 36 per cent over 28.36 lakh bales last season.

The stocks till end of end of November were estimated at 50.41 lakh bales. This includes 28.41 lakh bales with textiles mills and remaining 22 lakh bales with Cotton Corporation of India, Maharashtra Federation and others including MNCs, traders and ginners.

CAI has retained its total supply for the 2024-25 season till end September 2025 at 357.44 lakh bales, consisting of opening stocks of 30.19 lakh bales, pressing number for the season at 302.25 lakh bales and imports for the season estimated at 25 lakh bales.