Total cotton consumption in India is expected to reach to 313 lakh bales in 2017. This has been stated by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). During the previous year, 312 lakh bales cotton were consumed in the country.
However, delayed rains, fear of pest attacks such as white fly in Northern zone and pink boll worm in Gujarat region and farmers opting for other crops may result in decrease of acreage under by 12 per cent to 105 lakh hectares, said MM Chockalingam, Chairman and Managing Director, CCI, adding, “In spite of all odds the cotton production may rise from 338 lakh bales in 2015-16 to 351 lakh bales this year.”
Also Read – Bangladesh’s cotton consumption to rise this year
Owing to the demand and supply balance, domestic cotton prices are not likely to touch the MSP level and are expected to remain stable throughout the year, said Chockalingam. Also, the cotton production of the country for 2016-17 will be adequate to meet the demands of the textile industry of the country.
