Cotton Association of India (CAI) has maintained its cotton pressing estimate for the 2023-24 season at 294.10 lakh bales of 170 kg each. 

CAI estimates, total cotton supply till end of November 2023 will remain at 92.05 lakh bales of 170 kg each. This will include arrivals of 60.15 lakh bales of 170 kg each, imports of 3.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each and the opening stock at 28.90 lakh bales of 170 kg each. 

Cotton consumption upto the end of November 2023, is estimated to remain at 53 lakh bales of 170 kg each while exports are estimated to hover at 3.00 lakh bales of 170 kg each. Cotton end stocks at the end of November 2023 are estimated to remain at 36.05 lakh bales of 170 kgs each. These will include 27 lakh bales of 170 kg each with textile mills and the remaining 9.05 lakh bales of 170 kg each with CCI, Maharashtra Federation and others including cotton sold but not delivered.

The total cotton supply till end of the cotton season 2023-24 is expected to remain at the same level as earlier i.e. 345 lakh bales of 170 kg each. This includes opening stock of 28.90 lakh bales at the beginning of 2023-24 season on October 01, 2023. Imports for the season are estimated to increase by 9.50 lakh bales of 170 kg each to 22 lakh bales of 170 kg each. .

CAI has also retained its estimates for domestic consumption same as last year i.e. 311 lakh bales of 170 kg each. The association expects exports for the season 2023-24 to decline slightly to 14 lakh bales of 170 kg each from 15.50 lakh bales of 170 kg each last season. 

The closing stock as on September 30, 2024 is estimated at 20 lakh bales of 170 kg each as against 28.90 lakh bales of 170 kg each in last year.