Last month, CAI had raised projections by 3 lakh bales to 337 lakh bales. Due to the record imports in the last two years, our closing stock is also a record,” Ganatra said. Till July-end, cotton imports of 54 lakh bales have already taken place and another eight lakh bales are expected till September end. CAI has maintained the consumption at 348 lakh bales, which is higher by around 29 lakh bales than previous year’s 319 lakh bales. Cotton exports for the year are estimated at 15 lakh bales, lower by around 3 lakh bales from previous year’s 18 lakh bales.