The Hindu Business Line : Cotton output cut to 242.5 lakh bales

THE Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) on Wednesday lowered the country's cotton crop to 242.50 lakh bales ( 170 kg) for the current season 2005-2006 (October-September), same as the previous season's estimated crop of 243 lakh bales.

Earlier, it had estimated the crop at 255 lakh bales.

For the current season 2005-06, the combined crop in the northern region (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan) is estimated to be around 46 lakh bales, higher from 43 lakh bales in 2004-05.

In the central region (Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh), the crop is estimated to be 141 lakh bales, same as the previous season.

The total crop size in the southern region (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka) is estimated to be around 42.50 lakh bales compared with 46 lakh bales for the previous season.

"For the second successive year, cotton crop is reaching a peak level. There is substantial increase in crop size in Punjab and Gujarat, while some amount of reduction in crop size is likely in the southern region. So far, about 51 lakh bales of raw cotton have arrived," Mr J. N. Singh, Textile Commissioner, told presspersons.

"Overall consumption is expected to increase by 10 per cent this year," Mr Singh said.

The estimates for 2005-06 were raised for Gujarat to 80 lakh bales (from the previous season's figure of 73 lakh bales), Maharashtra to 46 lakh bales (52 lakh bales), Madhya Pradesh 15 lakh bales (16 lakh bales), Andhra Pradesh 30 lakh bales (32.50 lakh bales), Karnataka 7 lakh bales (8 lakh bales), Tamil Nadu 5.50 lakh bales (5.50 lakh bales), Punjab 21 lakh bales (16.50 lakh bales), Haryana 14 lakh bales (15.50 lakh bales), Rajasthan 11 lakh bales (11 lakh bales) and others one lakh bale (one lakh bale).

CAB's estimate of 242.50 lakh bales includes loose lint of 12 lakh bales.

"So far about 14 lakh bales have been contracted for export and may reach 25 lakh bales during the season," he said.

CAB's estimate for the season 2005-06 has opened with a carryover stock of 72 lakh bales. With production at 242.50 lakh bales and imports estimated at 6 lakh bales, the total availability will be 320.50 lakh bales.

On the demand side, mill consumption is seen higher at 180 lakh bales (up from 163 lakh bales), consumption by SSI units at 18 lakh bales, non-mill consumption at 15 lakh bales and exports at 25 lakh bales, bringing the total disappearance to 238 lakh bales.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page