India To Witness Lowest Cotton Production In 15 Years
In its first estimate of cotton crop output for the 2023-24 season, which began in October, the Cotton Association of India (CAI) has pegged it at 29.5 million bales of 170 kg each, the lowest in 15 years.
These estimates are below that of the Indian agriculture ministry’s estimate of 31.6 million bales and also down from the final cotton production estimate of 33.6 million bales in the 2022-23 season.
“This is the lowest cotton crop after 2008-09 and is mainly due to the EL Nino effect and a 5.5 percent drop in cultivated area,” Atul Ganatra, President of CAI said.
CAI also anticipates cotton yields to drop by 5-20 percent across several cotton-growing states due to unfavourable weather conditions and also due to pink bollworm attacks in Northern Indian states.
In the central zone, comprising Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, cotton production is forecast at 17.9 million bales.
In the northern states like Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, CAI has estimated cotton output at 4.3 million bales.
And in the southern zone which has states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, cotton production is projected at 6.75 million bales.
CAI has forecast the total availability of cotton in the 2023-24 season at 34.6 million bales, while domestic demand has been pegged at 31.1 million bales.
The cotton body also projected that India will import 2.2 million bales of cotton and estimated 2023-24 season opening stocks at 2.89 million bales.
