India's cotton output & exports to fall in 2012-13

10 Sep '12

2 min read

India’s cotton production in the new season, which begins from October 1, is likely to decrease to 34 million bales of 170 kg each, showing a decline of four percent compared to production of 35.3 million bales in the previous season, according to a report released by Ahmedabad cotton traders.

As per the report, India’s cotton exports are expected to reduce in 2012-13 to 7.5 million bales, as against exports of 12.7 million bales in 2011-12.

The total cotton demand in the country, including exports, is also likely to fall to 33.5 million bales in 2012-13, from last season’s consumption of 38.2 million bales.

The report estimates 2012-13 cotton production in Gujarat, including arrivals from Maharashtra, to be around 9.5 million bales, compared to availability of 12 million bales in 2011-12 season.

The production of cotton in Gujarat alone is projected at around 7.2 million bales, excluding arrivals from Maharashtra.

The report states that the share of Gujarat in India’s total cotton production is likely to decrease to around 28 percent in the new cotton season, from last season’s share of 34 percent.

It attributes the decline in Gujarat’s cotton production to nearly 18 percent decline in cotton sowing area in the state due to delayed arrival of monsoon as well as high volatility seen in cotton prices in the previous season.

However, the production of cotton is likely to increase to 7.5 million bales each in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. In 2011-12, Andhra Pradesh recorded output of 5.6 million bales, while Maharashtra produced 7.4 million bales.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

More Textiles News - India...