Cotton consumption to surpass production this season

11 Aug '10

2 min read

Cotton consumption in India is expected to surpass the production in 2009-10 (during October-September) for the first time in past five years, on account of production fall.

As per estimates derived by the Cotton Advisory Board (CAB), which is an industry body under the umbrella of textiles ministry, India's overall cotton consumption is 33.3 million bales, while the total production is just 29.5 million bales (1 bale=170 kg).

However, such a shortfall could be adjusted through previous year's cotton stock of 7.01 million bales. There is an 11 percent increase in cotton acreage, but the production is estimated to increase just by 1.72 percent due to pest attacks.

This year, total area under cotton is 10.33 million hectors which was 9.41 million hectors last year, as revealed by the data released by CAB. The total area under cotton could increase further, anticipated the textile commissioner, who also heads CAB. The overall production is expected to grow by 29.5 million bales against last year's production of 29 million bales.

Pest attacks are expected to take toll on the cotton yield this year by reducing it by 7.63 percent. During this kharif sowing season, the total cotton yield is estimated to be at 485 kg per hectares over 524 kg per hectares, during the previous season.

Revolution of Bt cotton seed between 2002-06 increased the productivity of cotton, but at the current situation no innovations have been carried out in the cotton seed technology, resulting into stagnant output, added the commissioner.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India

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