India’s cotton output in the 2017-18 season is likely to increase by 9 per cent to 377 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) despite lower production in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, as per estimates by the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB). The northern region output is expected to rise by 28 per cent to 59 lakh bales on the back of a bumper crop in Rajasthan and Punjab.
Though the output in the southern region is slated to go up, it may come under revision due to the pest attack in Telangana and Tamil Nadu, Indian business dailies quoted textile commissioner Kavita Gupta as saying. Gupta headed the first CAB meeting for the current season recently.
The estimate of 377 lakh bales is higher than 345 lakh bales produced in the 2016-17 marketing year, but almost 6 per cent lower than previous industry estimates for a record 400 lakh bales.
The cotton acreage has increased by 19 per cent to 122 lakh hectares from 108 lakh hectares last season. With a lower import estimate of 17 lb compared to 31 lb earlier and an opening stock of 48 lb compared to 36 lb earlier, the overall supply is put at 442 lb.
On the demand side, mill consumption is estimated to be higher at 288 lb compared to 263 lb earlier. Consumption by the small-scale and non-textile industry may increase respectively to 27 lb and 19 lb from 26 lb and 17 lb last year.
Exports may increase to 67 lb from 58 lb last year as Pakistan is likely to import from India, Gupta said.
Maharashtra suffered the worst pest attack, especially in Yavatmal and Jalgaon. Other states affected were Karnataka, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has procured 3.5 lb of cotton worth Rs 688 crore at a minimum support price of Rs 4,320 per quintal. CCI’s intervention from now on will be limited though as prices are expected to stabilise above the MSP, she added.
Source: fibre2fashion.com