The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has retained its cotton production estimate at 315 lakh bales. In the last cotton season, total output stood at 365 lakh bales. The cotton season runs from October to September.

The total cotton supply from October 2018 to May 2019 was 325 lakh bales. Total supply includes arrivals of 287.72 lakh bales up to May 31, 2019, imports of 9.28 lakh bales and the opening stocks of 28 lakh bales at the beginning of the season. Cotton consumption during October 2018 to May 2019 stood at 209 lakh bales. Export shipments till May 31 are estimated at 44 lakh bales. Stocks at the end of May 2019 are estimated at 72 lakh bales, including 32.68 lakh bales with textile mills and the remaining 39.32 lakh bales with the Cotton Corporation of India and traders and ginners.

Total cotton supply till the end of September 2019, is estimated at 374 lakh bales, which includes the opening stock of 28 lakh bales at the beginning of the season. Imports are estimated at 31 lakh bales, this figure is higher compared to the previous year’s import estimate of 15 lakh bales. The carryover stock at the end of the season is estimated at 13 lakh bales.