The Cotton Association of India (CAI) has placed the cotton crop for the season 2013-14 beginning on 1st October 2013 at 400.50 lakh bales of 170 kgs. each.
The projected Balance Sheet drawn by the CAI for the year 2013-14 estimated total cotton supply at 457.75 lakh bales while the domestic consumption is estimated at 295 lakh bales thus leaving an available surplus of 162.75 lakh bales.
The arrivals upto 31st July 2014 are placed at 394.50 lakh bales. A statement containing the state-wise estimates of Crop and Balance Sheet for the season 2013-14 with the corresponding data for the previous season 2012-13 is enclosed.
The CAI has also released its first estimate of cotton crop for the season 2014-15 and estimated the cotton crop for the season 2014-15 at 396.25 lakh bales.
In view of the bifurcation of the State of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Seemandhra, the CAI has estimated for the first time the production figures for both these states for the season 2014-15 separately. The accuracy of the production estimates for these two states will improve over the period of time.
As is apparent, India is set to become the world?s largest producer of cotton. The ICAC has estimated China?s cotton production for the year 2014-15 at 6.22 million metric tons while USDA?s cotton production estimate of China for the year 2014-15 is 6.42 million metric tons. Compared with these figures of China?s cotton production, the production of cotton for India estimated by the CAI for the year 2014-15 is 6.74 million metric tons.
Although the ICAC and USDA have estimated India?s cotton production for the cotton season 2014-15 at 6.04 and 6.31 million metric tons respectively, these production estimates are likely to be revised upward. The current season?s estimates of ICAC and USDA for China are 6.93 and 6.97 million metric tons respectively which are marginally higher than their production estimates for India for the cotton season 2013-14.
The CAI?s production estimate for the crop year 2014-15 is a bit conservative as productivity of cotton is likely to somewhat suffer due to the late and erratic monsoon this season. However, in view of the improved rains subsequently, acreage under cotton in India during 2014-15 crop year is likely to be record-high and if weather continues to remain favourable, India?s crop size during 2014-15 crop season will be substantially higher than what is estimated currently by the CAI.
It is due to the hard work and the concerted efforts of all those connected with cotton in India, viz, the Government agencies, Scientists, NGOs and most importantly the cotton farmers that the country is set to achieve this milestone and they deserve the highest amount of appreciation, says Dhiren N Sheth, President, CAI.
Indian Cotton Crop Estimate For the Season 2012-13 & 2013-14
Indian Cotton Crop Estimate For the Season 2012-14 & 2013-15