
The cotton production estimate for India has been further decreased by 9 lakh bales of 170 kg accordion to the latest monthly projection report by the Cotton Association of India (CAI).
The trade body projected the output in its January estimate for 2022-23 at 321.50 lakh bales, with domestic cotton consumption and exports remaining stable at 300 lakh bales and 30 lakh bales respectively.
In the north zone, cotton production is likely to reduce by 7.77 lakh bales especially with Punjab and Haryana reporting reductions in production. The estimate is that in the north zone, it might come to 42.50 lakh bales.
Production may be higher in Rajasthan. In the central zone, production is likely to increase by 21.70 lakh bales to 193 lakh bales. Also, according to the CAI report, in the south zone, production may reduce to 79.50 lakh bales, a reduction of 5.50 lakh bales.
Cotton crop estimates were reduced by CAI in Maharashtra by 2.50 lakh bales, Karnataka by 1 lakh bales, Telangana by 3 lakh bales, Andhra Pradesh by 1.50 lakh bales and Madhya Pradesh by 1 lakh bales.
From October 2022 to January 2023, the total cotton supply was 153.39 lakh bales which include new arrivals of 115.70 bales, imports of 5.80 lakh bales and opening stock of 31.89 lakh bales.
CAI estimates a cotton consumption of 92.50 lakh bales in the October to January span with 4 lakh bales of cotton available for export during that same period, with the stock at the end of January 2023, accordingly being 56.89 lakh bales which includes stocks of 40 lakh bales with textile mills and the remaining stock with ginners, traders, MNCs, the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and Maharashtra Federation.
CAI estimates the cotton supply until 30th September 2023 to be at 365.39 lakh bales, containing an opening stock of 31.89 lakh bales, estimated imports of 12 lakh bales and current production of 321.50 lakh bales.