CAI pegs cotton output at 341.5 lakh bales this season

The Cotton Association of India has projected India’s cotton output in the ongoing marketing season beginning October 1 last year at 341.50 lakh bales of 170 kg each.

The estimated cotton production in 2015-16 is below previous season’s total output of 382.75 lakh bales, CAI said in its April estimate.

The lower cotton output this year is mainly due to damage of crop because of white-fly attack in the northern region, where crop estimate for 2015-16 is 41 lakh bales compared to 53.50 lakh bales production last year, CAI said.

In April, cotton arrival was around 22.25 lakh bales compared to 27.05 lakh bales in the corresponding month last year.

This season, it is estimated that 302.40 lakh bales of cotton arrived in the market up to April, which is 89 per cent of the total estimated crop.

As per CAI’s projected balance sheet, total cotton supply for 2015-16 is estimated at 429.10 lakh bales, while domestic consumption is expected to be around 305 lakh  bales, leaving a surplus of 124.10 lakh bales for export and carry forward for next year.