Trade body Cotton Association of India (CAI) has raised the import projections of the fibre crop for the 2025-26 season ending September by 13 lakh bales to a new high of 60 lakh bales (of 170 kg each). This is in view of the consuming sector, taking advantage of the 11 per cent duty exemption, making record overseas purchases. Earlier, the trade body projected the imports at 47 lakh bales for the year.
The CAI, which released the latest pressing estimate on Wednesday, said cotton imports during 2025-26 will be higher by 19 lakh bales over the previous year.
Till end-June, about 51 lakh bales are estimated to have arrived at the Indian ports, said Vinay N Kotak, President, CAI, and Atul S Ganatra, Chairman, CAI Crop Committee, in a statement.
