CAB pegs India's 2018-19 cotton output at 361 lakh bales

The Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) has projected India’s cotton output for the current season beginning October 1, 2018, at 361 lakh bales of 170kg each. This would be a 2.4 percent decline compared to previous season’s output of 370 lakh bales. 

Lower cotton sowing area and fall in yields due to less rain are the main reasons for estimated fall in output.

The estimated area under cotton for this season is 122.38 lakh hectares, as against previous season’s 124.29 hectares, CAB said in its first crop forecast for the ongoing season.

The average yield is also expected to decrease from 506.07kg per hectare to 501.47kg per hectare this season, the quasi-governmental body under the textiles ministry, said.

While domestic mill use is likely to slightly go up this year, both imports and exports are forecast to be below 2017-18 season.

As a result of lower output and greater domestic demand, 2018-19 ending stock is expected to be 13 percent below the previous season’s ending stock.