The Cotton Association of India expects cotton output to be lower by four per cent at 370 lakh bales (lb) this season (started October) against 382 lb (of 170 kg each) recorded in the same period last year.

The crop damage in the northern zone due to the whitefly pest attack this year is certainly a cause of concern but nothing to panic, said the association in a statement on Wednesday.

Despite lower crop this year, it said the impact on supply would be lower as the country will have highest ever opening stock.

The crop output in northern zone comprising Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan is expected to be lower at 47 lb (53 lb).

In the central zone of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh the production is estimated at 205 lb (204 lb), while in the southern zone covering Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka it may be marginally lower at 112 lb (118 lb). The total supply including Odisha and other minor cotton producing is estimated at 370.50 lb (382.75 lb).