CAI forecasts higher Indian cotton crop in 2013-14

According to Dhiren Sheth, President of CAI, the acreage for cotton for the new season is not expected to change from the current season. But timely rains that are expected will result in higher yields.

Good monsoon rains are expected to help with the cotton condition for the new season. According to Dhiren Sheth, Gujarat in western India has seen an increase of more than 10% in acreage, which shows that once again Gujarat will the number one cotton producing state in India.

Although the overall production estimate for the new season has been released, according to a reliable source, statewide production estimate for the new season has not been prepared yet.

For the current season ending this September, the total cotton supply in India is projected to be 42.39 million bales. The production for the current season is estimated to be 35.57 million bales (170 Kg each).

According to the first estimates released, the next year’s cotton crop will be higher than the present season by approximately 1.63 million bales, though this number may change as the new season progresses.

Seshadri Ramkumar